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I get that worrying feeling that, yet again, the "open door" policy is being equated with good management i.e. "My door is always open; any problems, just pop in and have a chat."
What's wrong with that?
Well, many years ago, a major motor manufacturer in this country was having to deal with almost daily disruptions from unofficial strikes. The new boss found that there was just such an "open office" policy in being. His first instruction to his managers, on taking office, was...'There will be no more 'open door' arrangements - any manager who wishes to implement it will make his way to the open gate of the factory and leave. Those remaining will get off their backsides and GET OUT ON THE FACTORY FLOOR and find out what is troubling the workforce. YOU go to THEM... not the other way round.' Result - for a while, at least, a major improvement in performance.
The industrial psychologists et al will, no doubt, suggest that it was all down to the known effects of turbulence. Mebbe... but I still think that it's a better way to do things if done in sincerity. However, after nearly fifty years of being 'managed' both by the military and their civilian counterparts, I won't hold my breath waiting for it to happen !! <img src="smile.gif" border="0">