Have you ever walked into work and wondered whether that “open door” approach is actually helping your team — or quietly creating more problems than it solves? It’s one of those workplace debates that never really goes away, and for good reason.
The Case For Open Plan and Open Door
There’s a lot to love about open door and open plan workplaces. When it works well, it creates genuine collaboration, sparks organic conversations, and builds a sense of team energy that’s hard to manufacture any other way. In industries like architecture or design — where constant communication is the lifeblood of great work — an open environment can be a real competitive advantage.
Where It Gets Complicated
Here’s the thing though: open door doesn’t work the same way for every business. A few real challenges tend to show up over time.
First, where do the tough conversations happen? Performance discussions, sensitive feedback, or even just a quiet phone call — these need privacy that a fully open space often can’t provide.
Second, and this one catches a lot of leaders off guard: an always-available leadership style can unintentionally create dependency. When the door (literally or figuratively) is always open, the interruptions never stop — and leaders struggle to carve out the strategic thinking time the business actually needs.
So What’s the Right Move?
If you’re going open plan or open door, build in some intentional structure alongside it. Think about dedicated private spaces for sensitive conversations, soundproofing for noisy environments, and clear signals — like a closed door when deep work is happening — that communicate “my time matters right now.”
The bottom line? Open door policy can be fantastic, but it has to fit your culture, your team, and where your business is headed. It’s worth thinking through carefully before you commit.
About Monday Myth Check
Monday Myth Check is a weekly dose of reality where Jono Brake holds up commonly held leadership beliefs and asks the question “What if this was not true”. You can find the weekly videos and other posts by following Jono Brake on LinkedIn or following The Forged Leader, as well as on Youtube @jonobrake.
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