The new CEO of Rapha, the Cycle Clothing Company, was unveiled recently. She wrote her first newsletter to the customers, which arrived in my inbox about two days ago.
One of the things she said in her newsletter was that she had explained to her staff that her door was always open.
That's not true, though, is it?
In fact, it's one of the daftest things you could probably say in her circumstances.
In order for her to be successful, in order for her to bring to Rapha what she wants to bring and how she wants to change the company for greater success, there are some times when she will need to work in a way that is undisturbed.
At those times, her door will be metaphorically closed; she will not be there, travelling around the world or in meetings where no one can disturb her.
Perhaps it is better to manage people's expectations, perhaps better to say, "Sometimes my door is closed, but at these times, it is open. If you want to chat, come and see me. " That way, everybody wins: You get to work the way you want, and people get to know that you're available.
Blog Post Number - 3944
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