One quick TTP:

It took me WAY too long to realize that an “open-door policy” did not mean I needed to keep my door open all the time… (I mean, I’m not an idiot, I knew, it didn’t literally mean that…) I had my office door open WAY too much as a Commander and Staffer so that I was “approachable” and my Soldiers could be inspired by how much “work” I was doing.

Really, working with an open door was distracting and inefficient…

New Commanders (AND STAFFERS!), figure out how to say to your 1SG/Training NCO/NCOIC/CQ/XO (whoever sits outside your workspace) – “Hey, I need to shut my door (or plug in my headphones) and kill some paperwork for a bit, but don’t hesitate to pop-in if something needs my input.”

~Jeff