“Let me know what you need help with.” “I’m here to support you.” “Call me anytime.”
…crickets.
Days later, I’m thinking, Why didn’t you call me? Then comes the follow-up conversation: Next time, talk to me before you get to this point. And finally, the part I wish I could tattoo on every team member’s brain: You didn’t have to figure this problem out on your own.
These aren’t lines I pulled from a leadership book. They’re things I’ve actually said — more than once — to great people on my own team. And every time, it’s the same reminder: it doesn’t matter how many times you tell people your door is open, some will never walk through it.
That’s why, in this week’s quickcast, I’m calling out the open-door policy for what it really is: a well-meaning but outdated leadership crutch. And I’m giving you the simple, proactive move that actually builds trust and gets your team talking before things break.
Ever been thrown into sales, managing people, or a role you had zero formal training for… and still had to figure it out? That’s Sarah Gonnella’s story — and she’s spilling how she kept her sanity, found answers fast, and turned “I have no idea what I’m doing” into real results.
We’ll talk mentors, mindset, AI, and the unconventional habits that keep her moving forward. If you’ve ever felt like you’re building the plane mid-flight, this one’s for you.
Join us live on LinkedIn, Wednesday 9am PST/12pm EST!
Open-door policies are great for leaders who want to look like they care about culture without actually doing the work to build it. I know, that’s a little brutal — but sometimes we need the wake-up call.
I’m not saying the idea comes from a bad place. Most leaders have good intentions here. But it’s not going to get the results you want. In this quickcast, I’m breaking down why the open-door approach fails in the real world and what to do instead if you actually want trust, stronger communication, and a team that’s not quietly drowning while you think everything’s fine.
Want a simple, daily way to keep your workload (and your sanity) in check? Grab my 15-Minute Chaos Reducer Guide and learn how to cut the overwhelm in just a quarter of an hour a day.
Psst...are you ready for some sanity saving support?
What exactly does my team and I do and how can we help you? We're the team you call when your business is growing but operations (and your mental clarity) are a mess behind the scenes. Our team focuses on fractional admin support, streamlining operations, and strategic team development. See if we're a fit to support your growth by booking a no-pressure chat with me.