In today’s virtual office world, it might be timely to re-establish what office presence is actually for…why does it matter if we are (or are not) at our desk? What's the value of being at a specific place at a specific time?
As a leader, our most important work is not processing the firehose of inbound interruptions. Our most important work is to identify and solve interesting problems in the company of others. The other part of our work, the email, phone calls, unscheduled drop by meetings, and idle chit chat...is important too. But, please recognize it's not the most important and hopefully not which would be most missed when we're gone.
Part of leadership, perhaps a large part, happens alone. Space and time to think, to focus, to learn new methods, to craft ideas and strategy are vital parts of the change making process. And, they require privacy.
On the other hand, accessibility is important, maybe now more than ever. An open door policy has value for people which need help, especially right away. Of course, almost every problem or idea doesn't need input right away. But, since the door is open and there's someone there, might as well go in and engage. But this sort of accessibility has a cost...the cost of time to focus which inevitably slows the rate of change.
This balancing act of being available to others and also making private time to focus on solving problems has long been the bane of the leader. Anyone with an office or workstation understands this issue. Closing the office door (or working elsewhere) and putting the phone on DND and not answering email quickly sends the signal of being closed...closed for the business of serving people.
We need to change what the signal means. We need to teach people about focus and solitude and how it's okay to be absent from the flow. We need to invite others to use private time to actually be more productive with work which matters. We need to create a culture where learning and self-improvement are not something to do in our spare time, but built-in to the system...a required part of our work. Of course, we need to be responsible also. We need people to trust we're using quiet time in a way which serves them and the organization.
Some things to try...
Be Transparent- Let people know specifically what is going on behind the closed door or away from the office. Show your work. Invite people to discuss it.
Walk Around- Spend more time being accessible to others by going to them...without an agenda. "What's on your mind?" is a proven way to start. Over time this creates an expectation that you'll show up. Keep showing up. It might slow traffic to the office.
Attention- When the door is open and someone calls or walks in, give them our undivided attention. Stop answering email or the work at hand and give them what we promised them...service and attention.
Don't answer- Unless life safety is at stake, don't answer the knock, the phone or text. This is really hard because it's our way off the hook. It's our rationalization the work at hand is not important...at least not as important as the person wanting our attention. Well, if the work isn't important, why work on it? Of course it's important. Once we stop answering the interruption, the signal will change and over time there will be fewer seemingly urgent matters and fewer interruptions.
Schedule being closed- Make the focus time a habit...for everyone. If we close the door every day from 11-12( and show people how it benefits them), over time people understand what the hour is for.
An open door means a lot. But, it can also let us off the hook of doing our most important work if we choose not to close it. Please choose wisely.