PSA: The old 'open door policy' didn't work until I put a chair in the hall

Back when I first got my VP role, I kept saying my door was always open, but no one came. The problem was my office was tucked away in a corner. So, about two years ago, I started taking my laptop and just sitting in a chair in the main hallway for an hour each morning. Suddenly, people would stop and chat on their way to get coffee. It wasn't a meeting, just being visible. How do you make sure you're actually approachable?

2 comments

2 Comments

tessap987h ago

I mean, the "underlying vibe" thing jade_grant95 mentioned is real, but the chair trick actually starts to fix that. It shows you're trying to meet people where they are, which builds the safe feeling over time. It's not just a workaround, it's a first step.

jade_grant958h ago

That's a clever trick for sure, but it feels a bit like a workaround. The real issue might be a culture where people don't feel safe just walking into an office. Being in the hall helps, but fixing that underlying vibe is what makes people actually want to talk.