When I started in business and the phrase “open-door policy” was thrown around, it sounded very progressive. It was also very confusing to me.

While it certainly makes sense, I couldn’t understand how a company could operate when there are always people walking into the offices to talk. The answer is simple: In in a well oiled machine, there are regular meetings and opportunities for people to speak up with complaints, comments, and suggestions. In less evolved companies, people are afraid to voice their opinion because they are afraid of being fired. An open-door policy is a good thing. The reality, though, is you need to do more than just use the phrase.

You need to create an environment where people can speak up in any venue. I’ve had some of my most important communications with employees driving in the car, standing in the lunchroom, or walking through the shop floor. While I have always had an open-door policy, I have come to accept that when you get bigger, very few people at the lower levels are going to take the opportunity to walk through that door -- no matter how often I tell them it's open. Or, have I let myself off the hook too easily? Am I doing something wrong?