Seven times. That’s how many interruptions occurred during my meeting with the principal. One person came to the door, then another, then another… We spent 20 minutes of conversation in an hour and 13 minutes
None of these situations was an emergency. One person asked about an afterschool program; another wanted confirmation that a document reached the principal’s mailbox; someone wanted to know when a PD session would happen. There were no crises—no earthquakes or urgent incidents. Just constant interruptions.
The Cost of Constant Access
The problem with an open-door policy is that it disrupts important work. I was trained to allow anyone to come in at any time, and I did so when I became a principal. But my mentor helped me see the cost: I accomplished very little with the people actually in my room.
Imagine a post-observation meeting. You are ready to share a thoughtful reflection. Just then, someone asks where to find a chair for a new student. I answer, refocus, and your moment is lost. Another interruption happens, and your courageous feedback on a co-teacher goes unheard.
Why Meetings Must Be Sacred
Meetings with personnel—or anyone—should be sacred . Leaders must be fully present and focused. When leaders are distracted, participants feel undervalued, transformational leadership weakens, and trust erodes.
Open-door policies often originate from good intentions—to make people feel heard. Unfortunately, without boundaries, they turn into a customer service model that drains productivity.
Issues with the Traditional Open-Door Policy
- Creates dependency – Everyone goes directly to the top instead of using existing channels.
- Devalues other positions – Staff may skip appropriate steps, frustrating colleagues.
- Sacrifices focus – Conversations, thinking, and decision-making are interrupted for individual requests.
- Undermines planning – Initiatives need time to monitor, review, and act. Constant interruptions commitment success.
Solutions for Leaders
Even with boundaries, staff still need a voice. Here’s how to balance access and productivity:
- Build systems to handle routine questions – Supplies, chairs, and scheduling should go through proper channels, not the main one.
- Allow only true emergencies – Define what counts as urgent. For example, health risks or level 3 incidents should be the only interruptions.
- Enforce steps before escalation – Staff should follow the chain of command. If they skip steps, redirect them back to the system.
- Schedule dedicated time for visits – Offer periods during teacher prep or lunch to hear concerns. Communicate these windows clearly and consistently.
Access Without Losing Productivity
The myth of the open-door policy is that leaders should always be accessible. I disagree. If you are not in classrooms supporting instruction, or giving meetings your full attention, your constituents and students suffer.
By thinking systematically , you can give staff access while protecting your productivity. Consistency is key: staff may not like all decisions, but they trust leaders who are predictable and disciplined .