"Got a Minute?" is Running Your School...Not You

Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood leadership strategies in education: the open-door policy. If you’re a school leader who prides yourself on always being available, you might think this is the key to strong relationships and accessibility. But in reality, it might be the very thing keeping you from being an effective, strategic leader.

Think about your typical day. How often does it get derailed by the constant stream of “Got a minute?” interruptions? While your instinct might be to make yourself available to everyone at all times, this approach forces you to operate in a constant state of reaction rather than intentional leadership.

Your time is your most valuable resource. And as the principal, how you manage it directly impacts your school’s success. If you are spending your day reacting to whoever walks in your door, you’re sacrificing the opportunity to engage in the work that truly moves your campus forward.

Take Back Your Time & Lead with Intention

It’s time to shift your approach! Instead of an open-door policy that invites constant interruptions, implement a structured availability model that ensures you’re present where you’re needed most. Here’s how:

✔ Block time on your calendar for high-impact work. Schedule dedicated time for classroom visits, PLC meetings, and instructional leadership. Protect these blocks fiercely and let your admin assistant schedule everything else around them.

✔ Establish guidelines for interruptions. Work with your leadership team to determine what truly qualifies as an emergency. If it doesn’t fall into that category, it can wait for a scheduled meeting.

✔ Make your presence known—outside your office. The more time you spend in classrooms, hallways, and common areas, the more natural and informal touchpoints you’ll have with staff. This helps build relationships without sacrificing productivity.

✔ Shift the culture around communication. Let your staff know that your priorities are teaching, learning, and student success. Explain that limiting drop-in visits isn’t about being unavailable—it’s about being more present in the places where your leadership makes the biggest impact.

Respecting Your Time is Respecting Your Role

Expecting staff to schedule a 15 or 30 minute meeting isn’t about being inaccessible, it’s about ensuring that when you meet, you can give your full attention and provide real support. By communicating these expectations clearly, you’re modeling effective time management and prioritization...skills that benefit the entire campus!

The truth is, a principal who spends all day in their office with the door open isn’t leading, they’re managing. And your school doesn’t need a manager. It needs a leader!

Are you ready to reclaim your time and lead with intention? It starts with rethinking how you show up. Let’s move beyond the open-door "policy" and into leadership practices that have real impact!