Last week I spoke to a group of sales managers from UniGroup, Inc. Part of our session dealt with physical availability, namely the common management cliche, "open door policy."
I've read about this a thousand times. I've even had managers who assured me that there was, in fact, an open door policy.
So here's my question: why is it always up to the employee to take the first step?
This reminds me of a key point about approachability that not enough people understand: it's a two way street.
Literally. The word "approachability" comes from the Latin verb appropiare, or "to come nearer to." Which means it's both proative and reactive.
Unfortunately, management must have missed the boat on this one. For example, check out a few definitions of "open door policy" from About.com:
An open door policy provides employee access to any manager or supervisor including the CEO.
Adopt an open door policy that states any employee can talk with any level manager about any issue at any time.
Every manager's door is open to every employee.
Our open door policy means that employees are free to talk with any manager at any time.
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS: it's one sided. You don't see anything about the manager stepping out to the employees, do you?
This is why we need to rewrite the Open Door Policy. The door should swing both ways. Managers should not only keep their own doors open; but get out of their offices and open other people's doors too.
After all, the only way to get to your employee's door is by first stepping onto his front porch.
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
How would you rewrite the Open Door Policy?
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag
www.hellomynameisscott.com
Monday, April 17, 2006
Rewriting the Open Door Policy
4:57 AM
5 comments
5 comments:
Interesting thought. The problem is that as Americans, we tend to value our privacy. Naturally, that sort of thing can be in direct conflict with having a front porch. I know that at most places I've worked, the employees wouldn't stand for a two-way open door, where the boss could come by at any time.
Maybe the boss could designate some time one day a week where he/she would walk around and chat with employees.
When I managed a sales team, I did what you are saying Scott. I'd just happen to drop by the sales room to see who was in. If someone was there, I'd ask what they were excited about. Usually that conversation would then veer into a question from the sales person that probably would never have gotten voiced in the weekly sales meeting. It was the absolute best way to conduct training!
I hadn't thought about it being a two way "open-door" policy, but in my opinion, all managers need to adopt it. When I think about the times I was "just" a sales person, I would have loved to have my manager just drop by for a chat. Instead he had those very awful individual meetings (in his office, with him on one side of the desk and me on the other.) There was nothing spontaneous about these meetings. They followed a very rigid, "what did you do last week, what are your plans for this week, and why isn't it more of both?!!"
Hi Scott ... Tom Peters said this back in 1982 in his book "In Search of Excellence." He called it "Management by Walking Around." Just by getting out and walking around, talking to folks, seeing what's going on for yourself, you make yourself available and see things in a new light. It works.
Scott this is right on! I especially agree with Tim when he suggests that Bosses do a weekly (at least) walk around to chat with employees. I'll add that you could use this time to ask questions, solicit feedback, get suggestions. It's a terrific way to empower employees and tap into their creative problem solving talents! It's also a great time to notice and comment appreciatively on the contribution they make to the workplace. Finally, what about hosting "lunch with the Boss" and taking one or two employees out to lunch each week. It's a great way to have some personal time with them and find out what's really on their minds.
I'll be linking this to my site. Excellent post!
Warmly,
Donna Cutting
aka Gal Morale
Hi BLOG:
As a manager what would be the proper way to open door your direct manager? Who happen to look at you with demeaning ways . I have increase sales by 27% in six months since I took the job. It seems like nothing is enought for him and always provide me with negative feedback?
I feel like he is trying to rule by intimidation? Until today I have overlook all this narcissistic behavior and I desired that is time to pen door him to find out what is his problem?
Any suggestions?
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