Should You Have An Open Door Policy? | E150
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy challenges the notion of open door policies and their effectiveness in leadership. With her signature wisdom, Kris dives into why simply declaring an open door policy isn't enough to make team members feel truly comfortable approaching you. She emphasizes the importance of being intentional and prescriptive in creating opportunities for engagement with your team.
Kris illustrates the concept by likening an open door policy to inviting someone into your home and how you can best make someone feel welcomed. She urges leaders to provide specific avenues for communication, such as scheduled one-on-one meetings, team lunches, or virtual office hours. Emphasizing the need for proactive engagement, Kris encourages leaders to initiate interactions, particularly with team members they might not know well.
The episode emphasizes that the responsibility of creating a welcoming and approachable environment falls on the leader. Kris discusses the need for leaders to set boundaries and expectations while still being accessible and engaging. She highlights the importance of making team members feel comfortable and valued, ultimately shaping a healthy and productive workplace culture.
There's a mantra that says ‘You first’. And I really think that's true for leaders. You have to go first. You have to initiate what engagement looks like.
Key Takeaways From This Episode
-
Open Door Policy Misconceptions: Exploring the reasons why open door policies may not be effective
-
Creating Welcoming and Effective Communication Structures: Specific examples of ways to engage with team members
-
Communication Strategies Leaders Can Use With Team Members: Suggestions for remote or virtual team engagement
-
Encouraging Leaders to Take the Initiative In Engagement: Taking a look at how leaders can be more approachable
Contact Information and Recommended Resources
Connect with Kris Plachy
ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.
Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo
Work with Kris and Her Team:
Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo
