Leadership, Management & Life in the Workplace
  • Blog
  • About John
  • Decoding the Workplace
  • Dr. Juran AIG Archival Project
  • Contact
  • Disclaimers

How Open is the Open Door?

9/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Do you have an open door policy? Do your leaders? Does your organization? Are the policies effective? I was reminded of open door policies while reading a 2011 Forbes.com article by Carmine Gallo, “The 7 Secrets of Inspiring Leaders,” the secrets he discusses at length in his book of similar name.  Over the years I have known managers who say they have open door policies but they really didn’t. Without a culture of trust, open doors are not open. 

Almost 20 years ago Aaron Shenhar wrote in the Leadership & Organization Development Journal that “an open door is very often only a myth,” that telling employees “the door is open  . . . is not enough.” Shenhar continued:

“Why is it that so many managers are convinced that their door is open, while it is actually closed, or at least perceived to be closed by their subordinates? . . . Even honest statements made by management, that their doors are open to employees, do not seem to be able to break the barriers. . . Only a genuine, open-door policy that functions frankly and regularly can create among employees the feeling that someone is listening and cares, and only then will it be possible to crack these invisible walls.” 

Marissa Mayer’s open door when she was a Google VP is an example of a successful policy. Gallo mentioned Mayer in his Forbes article but provided more detail in his 2006 BusinessWeek piece.  Mayer held office hours daily from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Employees could sign up on a board outside her office. First come – first served. She sometimes had as many as 15 meetings during these office hours. 

Mayer's daily open door time represents a strong commitment. But I do like the idea of a time on the schedule for the open door. Even if just once or twice a week.  Open doors can greatly benefit leaders willing to truly listen, leaders who respect others.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    RSS Feed