“Stop by anytime…I’m here for you…I have an Open Door policy.”
Please stop saying that to the employees in your organization. Of all the lame management-speak phrases I’ve heard over the years, this has to be one of the worst. Do you realize you’re simply making an excuse to keep your butt in your office chair? That’s right, you’re “here” sitting in your office, waiting for the employees to come to you. Oh yes my friend, if you’re still saying this phrase, you have won the election and are officially the Mayor of Excuse-ville. Even foursquare doesn’t have a badge for that.
That’s just lame. What decade do you think you’re working in anyway?
Remember Who’s Most Important
Open Door policies are meant for you to walk out your door and connect with your staff. You remember them, right? They’re the ones who do the work. They’re the ones that make you look good. They’re the ones that step up and provide world-class service that sets your company apart from the competition. They’re the ones that update you, so you can update your boss on everything that “you’re” doing.
How About You
Get up. Look away from the glow of your monitor, stop answering the phone, and just go. Walk through that door frame that you typically see at 5:00pm, and embrace it’s power at 10:00am. Show the team that they matter most; not only because it’s good business, but because it’s true.
It took me years to figure out that the Open Door policy was for me, not the staff. I wish someone had told me sooner. Who told you about the real Open Door policy?
I’d love to hear from you.
No Excuses.
