Jathan Janove, Chief Learning Officer & Master Coach
Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching
In my 40+ year career, first as employment law counsel to corporations, then as executive leadership coach and consultant, I’ve heard many organization leaders say, “I have an open-door policy.” Whenever I hear that phrase, I cringe. In my experience, it usually can be translated as “Be afraid.”
When people in positions of power or authority say, “my door is always open,” it’s often an excuse to dominate, intimidate, and even bully subordinates while maintaining the self-illusion of empowerment and mutual respect.
If you’re a leader, and you truly believe in the open-door concept, never say it. Do it! Get up from your desk in your office, open your door, and get out there and ask questions – Not cross-examination questions, “What’s wrong with you?” Open-ended curiosity-based questions such as, “What do you like about working here?” and “What improvement suggestions do you have?”
When you’re in a leadership position, humility and genuine interest in others’ ideas and well-being won’t compromise your authority or ability to make the tough calls leaders often have to make; it will do the opposite. Yet, as the leader, it’s incumbent on you to ensure that others perceive your door as open – and that it’s safe to enter.
PS: If you’d like to learn more about leadership and coaching tools and practices, click the Resources page on the MGSCC.net website.
Jathan Janove is a former attorney previously recognized by his State Bar as “Employment Lawyer of the Year.” Currently, he serves as Master Coach and Chief Learning Officer for Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching, a worldwide executive leadership coaching organization. He is the author, most recently, of The HR Renaissance: From Legal Guard to Growth Partner, which Johnny C. Taylor Jr., SHRM President & CEO, said provides “a roadmap for how to make HR organizationally indispensable.” He’s also author of The 8 Deadly Sins of Mismanagement, The Star Profile – A Management Tool to Unleash Employee Potential, Hard-Won Wisdom – Lessons from the Workplace Trenches, and Breakthrough: How Stakeholder Centered Coaching® Transformed the Executive Coaching Industry.
