Flex - The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences

CHAPTER 5

Power Gap Principle: Flex Your Management Style

We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.

—IAN PERCY

THE NEW OPEN-DOOR POLICY

Jim has always lived by the empowerment principle, which he describes like this: He tells his direct reports that he has an open-door policy, and encourages people to drop by and speak their minds. He often asks for their ideas on how to improve operations. However, there is a problem. Two years ago, he added a new finance associate to the team who seemed to have impeccable credentials, including education and a great work history with her previous employer. But she doesn’t seem to be taking advantage of his wide-open door and desire to hear from his team members. He wonders if ...