As a CIO, do you have an open door policy? Would you go visit your staff in their spaces?

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CIO in Finance (non-banking), 51 - 200 employees

Absolutely....my door is rarely closed and I’m quite often out talking to my team members.

Senior Security and Compliance Auditor in Software, 1,001 - 5,000 employees

Not a CIO but I recently stayed a a Holiday Inn....I found it so liberating years ago when I accepted "Open Doors" and asked employees to ask me any question at any time and get an honest answer, even if its not exactly what they would want to hear. Transparency builds trust, which builds loyalty/retention and fosters collaboration. Most CTOs and CIOs, and VP's I work with nowadays sit amongst everybody else in the open office format. At first, it can be odd having a big shot sitting in the raised desk next to you. Since in the end everyone is on the same team it has great value to also work in the same space.

Chief Security Officer in Software, 10,001+ employees

All execs should have an open door policy, be visible and keep a pulse of the troops. So yes.

CISO in Retail, 1,001 - 5,000 employees

I would have both. Open door and regular visit.

Group Chief Information Officer in Construction, 5,001 - 10,000 employees

I believe It’s shouldn’t be just a policy it needs to be a culture a daily practice a full family atmosphere and comfortable environment in which nobody fear from making mistakes or being judged.
You need to be approachable and have team spirit in the DNA of your team. And then doesn’t matter if you’re leading virtual team scattered all over the globe or small one in same office.

Chief Information Officer in Manufacturing, 10,001+ employees

Absolutely, my door is always open and I tend to stop by each of my team members areas throughout the week to see how they are doing? Always be approachable as a leader for anyone who needs or wants to chat.

Chief Technology Officer in Services (non-Government), 501 - 1,000 employees

I agree with Ali, an open door policy should tie in with an open, honest, and collaborative culture within your department. Since becoming a CTO, I've always turned down the offer of an office and insisted on sitting with my team. Conversely, I've seen other leaders who don't feel comfortable with it, particularly if their open plan office doesn't have private areas to take/make calls.

If you did choose to have an office though, I would say you should spend at the very least an hour a day walking around your teams and talking to them.

Chief Technology Officer in Finance (non-banking), 1,001 - 5,000 employees

Of course, this shouldn't be a question anymore. With companies moving to a open space offices and with decisions made in seconds, How you think being behind doors will help you interact and work at the pace it is requested? Your team and people from your company, including all other areas should see you 100% available. IT is the center of the organization, I hope you understand this last concept to facilitate why you should be interacting with all the people most of your time

VP of IT in Software, 10,001+ employees

Management by walking around is still considered a best practices even though it is one of the oldest ones.

But do it consistently and light. Don't want to create a small tsunami everytime you leave the office with everyone terrified that you might stop by.

I do it daily even when very busy.

Besides, an open door policy only attracts a small percentage of many teams and the ones that come in the door aren't always the most beneficial conversations.

Chief Techical Officer in Software, 11 - 50 employees

There are people that don’t? Often it is intimidating for people to come to you so go to them. Often I’ve had “Ask me Anything” sessions jointly with the CEO where any staff member can ask whatever they want and get an honest answer everyone can hear. Doing this is how you stop all the bad rumors from starting. Communication has always been key for me to getting stuff done and staff who are committed to getting it done with you.