Is Your Door Really Open?

“My door is always open,” the manager/leader says.  Is it really though?  Without substance behind it, a phrase like this comes across as empty management speak.

I don’t doubt this type of comment is meant sincerely.  But in day-to-day reality, our doors AREN’T always open.  In fact, they are RARELY open due to the many meetings we must attend and the deliverables we must generate.  So our employees hesitate to interrupt us.  Or they send a quick Slack message or text asking for a few minutes of your time, crossing their fingers you’ll respond.  If you don’t (again not because you don’t care, but because the message got lost in the hubbub of your day), they’ll wonder if they can ping you again, or would that be annoying?

The intent expressed in a statement like “my door is always open” is important and worthy.  The people you work with, particularly those who report to you, need to know that you are willing to make time for them.  But give the statement teeth – create a standing prescheduled 1x1 with your employees at least monthly, though weekly or biweekly is most common.  Once your team member knows they can rely on protected time with you, the stress of trying to grab random moments of your time lightens.  The pressure of trying to explain an idea in 2 minutes lessens. 

And wait for it… you’ll have fewer interruptions and messages to respond to.  Win-Win!  Of course, if there is truly something urgent happening, you’ll stop what you’re doing to discuss.  But stop the fallacy of “My door is always open.”  Give your team members the assurance that at a regular predictable time the door is open just for them.