I was reading about open door policies over at Inc. magazine’s Boss School Blog,
and it stimulated some thoughts.  Jay Goltz states, “I couldn’t
understand how a company could operate when there are always people
walking into the offices to talk.”  He then goes on to talk about how
an open door policy is enhanced by providing other avenues for people
to raise their concerns and make their comments (such as making it safe
to raise comments and questions in meetings, etc.)

But I think it even goes farther than that.  An open door policy
doesn’t mean that your door is literally open all the time.  It means
you are never too busy for your employees.  It’s part of the culture. 
It says, “I know that without you, I couldn’t succeed in this business,
therefore, there is nothing more important to me than you.”  (Of course
it goes without saying that there is nothing more important to both of us
than the customer.)  When that sentiment is expressed, espoused and
fostered, employees will be sensitive to your busy day.  They will only
come to you when they’ve exhausted all other means of solving their
problem.  But at the end of the day, they are strengthened to know if
they need you you’ll be there.

When your employees know you truly care about them, they’ll care
about you.  When they care about you, they’ll care more about your
business.  When they care about your business, you’ll be more
successful.  So watching out for your employees is only watching out
for yourself.  Is your door open?  I don’t mean literally, I mean
figuratively.  If it is, you’re in good shape.  If not, you might
reconsider how you feel about and interact with your employees.