The hidden harm of an open-door policy

"My door is always open."

Ah, the open-door policy — an evergreen platitude that managers use to seem cool and friendly and approachable. They trot it out to level the playing field, to say, "I'm a man of the people! You can tell me everything!"

I mean, I get it. Part of being an Oddball Leader means being available, regularly checking in with staff members, and helping them feel best-equipped to do their jobs. "My door is always open" is commonly offered in good faith and with good intentions.

Well-intentioned though it may be, the open-door policy can actually do more harm than good in the health of a team culture.

A TRAP GOOD LEADERS FALL INTO

The "open-door policy," when all is said and done, is a trap. It's an absence of boundaries and realistic expectations disguised as progress.

(It's also the one deliverable you can complete by not doing anything.)

There's no calendar to update. No new skills to commit to, no follow-up. It's declared in an all-staff meeting, everyone nods, and moves on. The proverbial door then just...hangs open.

This is where the open-door policy model falls apart: