#470  from Innovative Leader Volume 9, Number 5          May 2000

FORUM—from our readers

It’s Lonely at the Top

Six months ago, I was promoted to vice president.  That was reason for celebrating; however, I found out things about the position and about myself that I never previously appreciated.

You see, I’m a rather sociable person who enjoyed being in the midst of the “gang” that worked directly for me.  It was the achievements made by those people that got me into the vice presidency.  We could all be up-front with each other, and it was easy to make decisions.

Now, however, I’m in the executive suite that is isolated not only through its location, the top floor of a tall building; but also through its opulence.  My office is huge, the bathroom has gold (plated, I assume) fixtures, fancy art lines the walls, and Persian rugs cover the marble floor. I have to admit that, before I was VP, I would never have thought of going to the executive suite without an invitation.  Staff never come up just to chat or give an opinion without making an appointment.  Previously, anyone could come into my office as long as my door was open, which was most of the day.

It’s not that I could, all of a sudden, permit the open-door policy up here in the suite.  The other executives, I’m sure, would feel uncomfortable.  They’ve been with the company a long time and have settled into their habits and unwritten policies.

By the way, the company has enjoyed great success, and the higher-ups see no reason to change habits and policies.  In spite of this, I felt a duty to open the suite--and the people in the suite--to all employees.  I’m sure that a more open environment will help the company in the long run. 

I initiated a company “chat room” via our intranet that is accessible to all company employees.  Anyone can provide gripes and suggestions. First, the other executives were just curious and a bit apprehensive: “What do our employees really feel about us?”  Then the questions evolved into: “What do our people worry about?”  “Are there some important problems arising that we should be aware of?”  “Are we missing critical opportunities?”  

Now, at executive meetings, it’s common to invite a staff member who pointed out a problem or indicated a new opportunity.  The executive suite’s “wall” has been chipped away a bit.  Still, no one comes up uninvited.  But, I’ll bet that will soon change.  And I’ll bet they’ll be welcomed.

Anonymous