Open Door Leadership

A few years ago I engaged in an enterprise level software installation for a large not for profit organization.

I headed into the project with a team of folks with the intent of helping them finish the project. I ended up taking over the installation and thus had the perk of an office from which to function.

The environment was somewhat formal and was the typical cube structure.

My leadership style was much less formal and driven by conversation and relationship, what some call “walking the floor” leadership. But cubes are cubes and not very conducive “walking to walking the floor.’

What to do? I added some incentive for them to come into my space. I added a large bowl of candy on my desk and everyone that glanced at that bowl as they walked by I invited in for a small tasty sugar morsel.

I’ve continued this practice whenever possible and it has proved invaluable for my style of leadership – lots of conversation and relationship. As I have gotten older I have moved to healthier snacks – but the principle remains.

Open door, snacks, conversation, relationship… leadership.

Rabs