One of the elements of working in small business that I have always appreciated is having direct communication with the owner or CEO of the company. The ability to freely express ideas and concerns at the top level is priceless. As an employee, it makes you feel valued anytime the person who signs your paycheck takes time to listen to you. This type of Open Door Policy (ODP as it is commonly referred to) can have many benefits for an organization, its culture, and its people.
While many companies strive to promote and achieve an ODP, there are times when it can be detrimental to their cause. Consider the small- to mid-size entrepreneurial company that started in the owner’s garage with a handful of trusted colleagues, friends, or family members. As that business grows and more people are added, mid-levels of management become necessary and are assumed by those with tenure in the business. A chain of command is formed. Eventually, the business will outgrow some of those senior employees and more-skilled managers will need to be brought into the organization while the founding members are relegated to more appropriate roles.