Management Tip of the Day: Managers: It's OK to Keep Your Door Closed

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile FEBRUARY 21, 2013 Managers: It's OK to Keep Your Door Closed You might think a good manager should always be accessible when in the office. But, if every spare minute is filled with people walking through your door eager for attention, you'll never get anything done. Change your standards for what it means to be an effective boss. Part of being a good manager is demonstrating focus on high-priority work. It's OK to keep your door closed at times. Setting boundaries for yourself and your employees helps get your work done. You don't always need to explain why you're setting those limits, either. You can simply say, "I have to go," or "I'm sorry but I can't come help right now; please send me an email instead." Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Stop Being a People-Pleaser" by Elizabeth Grace Saunders. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works Ebook Now Available A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin — one of the most successful business duos of the past century. With Lafley at the helm of P&G during its renowned turnaround and Martin as his strategic partner and adviser, they helped to double P&G's sales and push both profits and market value through the roof. Now it's time for you to take a page from their strategy playbook. Playing to Win, available now. It's the book everyone is talking about. "Strategy lessons, 101..." — Financial Times. "a fascinating tale..." — The Economist. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS When Delegating, Let Go of the How Persuasion Doesn't Require Manipulation Give Your Slides Some White Space Learn From Your Rivals Defuse Difficult People Revise and Edit Your Writing Project Always Say Yes to Networking How to Handle Your Conflict-Averse Boss Get the Parental Leave You Want Avoid Technology Glitches at Your Next Presentation All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)