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Quotable: They Said It
“As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.” - Mel Brooks
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” - Peter F. Drucker
FROM "OPEN DOOR" TO "OPEN INBOX"
Many corporate leaders have an “open door” policy. That usually means that any employee can go see the boss about any problem. An open door policy gives employees the sense that people at the top really care about what they think. And it can make leaders aware of bad news that otherwise would have had to travel through formal channels. Channels that often stop bad (but essential) news before it reaches anyone who can actually do something about it.
The open door is being supplemented these days by a new policy: The “open inbox.” In fact, according to a survey reported in the Wall Street Journal by the Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs from large corporations, 39 out of 44 companies responding said their CEOs personally read staffers’ emails.
According to the WSJ, advocates of the open inbox say it can help stop a developing problem in its tracks, improve morale, and identify new ideas. Leadership Update has provided you with ideas in the past for enhancing communication with staff, and the open inbox is another good method.
If you have an “open inbox” policy now, or if you’re considering implementing one, here are some suggestions for making it successful:
- Let employees clearly know what the purpose of the policy is.
- If there are confidentiality or anonymity limitations, those limitations should be explained.
- Outline how you intend to respond when emails are received. For example, if you intend to answer each one (even if just to write “thank you”), include that in your policy. If you only plan to respond when appropriate, that should be clear, too.
- Follow up appropriately. If employees get the sense that it’s futile to send an email about a problem or issue to you, they’ll eventually stop.
If you have a specific policy in place that you want to share with other readers, please send me a note and I’ll include details in an upcoming Leadership Update.
THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: HAVE YOU VISITED THEM LATELY?
If you haven’t visited the Better Business Bureau website recently, consider giving them a click. The website has a wealth of useful information for businesses of all sizes, including business ethics, fraud alerts, information security, complaint filing instructions and more!
Aside from getting a quick update for your own business purposes, you’ll get a sense of what’s top of mind for consumers across the country.
THE STRESS SOLUTION: HOW TO WIN IN BUSINESS WITHOUT SACRIFICING IN LIFE
Working in a leadership, management or professional position has lots of rewards. But, like anything in life, those rewards have a price. And that price is stress.
Numerous sources have referred to chronic overstress and burnout at the executive level as an epidemic. But here’s a simple-to-use solution you can use to reduce your own stress – or the stress of a co-worker or direct report – and start living the terrific life you deserve.
The Stress Solution is a concise, information-rich guide with effective ideas you can use today to begin recognizing and coping better with stress.
The Stress Solution teaches you:
- How you can recognize the “warning signs” of stress to stop problems before they get out of hand.
- How you can distinguish between real and imagined stressors, so you can decide what problems to focus on.
- The key techniques that can keep you cool under fire.
- How to radically increase your physical and emotional energy so you are prepared to tackle any challenge!
The Stress Solution is not a “touchy feely” self-help guide. It’s a practical, concise business workbook that highlights the essential points quickly and directly.
For more information or to order your copy of The Stress Solution today, click here.
ABOUT DR. WEIMAN
David A. Weiman, Psy.D. is a psychologist who specializes in executive assessment, development and consultation. For information or a confidential consultation, please call 610/642-3040.
333 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 202
Wynnewood, PA 19096-1929
(610) 642-3040; Fax (610) 642-3041
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Reader's Forum: Your Observations
Have a comment about something you read in this month's newsletter? I want to hear it! Mail it to: comments@leadershipfirst.com. If you’d like me to use the question on my website or in a future issue of Leadership Update, let me know and I’ll include it!
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Copyright © 2005 David A. Weiman, Psy.D., Weiman Consulting
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