This is the Business English Podcast, Episode 94.
Do you have an open-door policy at work? welcome to the business english podcast from all ears english get the english skills you need to achieve your dreams in global business for a presentation a meeting or your office party this is real business english with your favorite american hosts lindsay and michelle coming to you from new york city and colorado usa Still translating in your head when you speak English?
It's time to change that. The Connected Communicator course from All Ears English helps you train your ear, speak naturally, and finally connect with real people.
In our tailored study plan, you'll hear unscripted interviews from tattoo artists to entrepreneurs from all across America. and you'll use new AI tools to practice speaking anytime you want.
No more stiff, scripted English. Build confidence, fluency, and cultural insight all in one course.
Plus, get real-life speaking experience at our Open Conversation Club every single week and build community with Allers English teachers and students.
Go to allersenglish.com slash connection to save $50 this week only.
Offer ends August 10th. allearsenglish.com slash connection.
Hello, Michelle. How's everything going today?
Hey, Lindsay. Good, good, good. I was sick and you might still hear just a little bit like a husky voice for me.
You sound good. You sound better today. Yeah, much better today.
Oh my gosh. Yesterday was a little bit Wild, but a little challenging, a little challenging.
Well, Michelle, I have a good question for you today.
Are you ready? Let's talk about business a little bit.
All right, let's do it. So do you have do you feel that at All Ears English, we have a culture where you can ask a question anytime, like you get like almost like an open door policy, but virtually that you can approach anyone with a question at any time or no?
Yeah, I do. I mean, I feel like we have a a good rapport, all of us.
So I don't hesitate, you know, to ask a question.
There are times where, you know, we have we have talked about this before, you know, like, I don't want to ask you too many questions.
Sometimes I'll try and if it's something I'm not sure about, I might try and ask Jessica or Aubrey first.
Right. You know, because or And lately I have been sometimes just being like, because I guess it does come from that conversation we had in that other episode.
We were talking about figuring things out on your own.
And yeah, it's going to potentially destroy the podcast, you know, just saying, OK, it's you know, this is this is most likely fine.
And, you know, kind of just being more confident in my decision making and things like that.
But yeah, so like I do. But I do feel like if I have a question, I don't think that, you know, it's bad to ask.
There was after that episode, I remember we talked about and then I think we had recorded and then I said, OK, I know this is a little question, but you're right here.
So I might as well ask you now. And it was funny because we had just recorded that episode.
But I feel like if I'm already talking to you.
Mm hmm. You know, like if we're already on and I just have something, then I might as well just ask you because we're already right.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think it's good to have a balance in any company.
Right. That people take responsibility and make their own decisions.
But then obviously, if it's a big decision, it's good to collaborate because we're not alone here in our companies.
Right. Right. Yeah. I love that. Is this what we're talking about today?
I bet our listeners are going to love this for business.
Yeah, this is good. So as we're already discussing, we did this episode.
It was episode, Business English episode 74.
And this was how to know when to ask your boss a question in American business culture.
And there we were talking about some mistakes bosses may make, you know, by being too available, too open. um and also we talked about when should you ask your boss a question or when should you use your intuition uh or ask another you know colleague so that's what we were talking about so really guys make sure you listen to that episode because that's kind of in partnership today with today's episode.
Yeah, guys. So go back to episode 74, just 20 episodes ago, and find that one, listen to that, and then come back to this episode.
But first, Michelle, what do we want to ask our listeners to do?
We have a special request, a little ask for our listeners today.
Guys, we want you to spread the love. We want you to think of someone who could really benefit from the Business English podcast.
This is a special kind of person, someone who is driven in their career, someone who really wants to succeed, who can really use a boost in their business English skills.
Make sure that you share this podcast with them so that you're not keeping it all to yourself.
Yes, you got it. So guys, wherever you're listening, if you're listening in YouTube or Spotify or Apple Podcasts, go and find that share link, copy it, put it in a text message and send it to someone, someone in your life who needs it.
All right. Good stuff. Yeah. Let's get into it today, Michelle. okay so again we were talking about this idea of an open door policy and today we want to talk a little bit about expressions that you can use to ex to to express this idea and sometimes it's not about being the boss um but sometimes if if you are the boss and you want to use these expressions you know like we talked about We kind of talked about our opinions on it and this article talking about whether or not that's a good thing.
But we want to give you the option. We want to give you the vocab as a boss or as, you know, an employee, even if you're not a supervisor to talk to a coworker.
So what is an open door policy? Yeah, I wonder how cultural this is too, right?
I really wonder if this is something that our listeners are only going to find in American business culture, right?
Because it historically has been considered a good thing, a sign of openness on the part, a sign of a more horizontal organization.
I think is what I would say, rather than a super hierarchical organization.
But I know in some of our listeners' cultures, hierarchy matters more than it does in American business culture.
But what it means, Michelle, let me just answer your question.
It just means that you can, if you say to a new hire, you say, we have an open door policy here.
You're saying to that new hire, You can approach your manager or someone above you just by kind of walk, obviously knocking, but sort of knocking on their door at pretty much any time.
It's me. It means philosophically their doors open.
Right. Right. Right. That's that's what I was the word I was looking for.
Is it more you think philosophical or actually metaphorical? yeah yeah it's metaphorical it's not physical because i think the door may still be closed right when you go to ask the question it just means the boss or the manager or anyone above you is more open to hearing from you would you agree right yes i think so i think so so again it doesn't mean that you should necessarily abuse that you know idea and just every two seconds But it's a nice thing if somebody is using that expression to talk about the office.
So what is a way you could say this? Like, how would you use open door policy?
OK, we have a few things we're going to teach our listeners.
So, guys, get ready to take notes today.
The first one is I have an open door policy.
Now, who would be saying this in the working world?
Michelle, I would say this is more likely a supervisor.
Mm hmm. Mm hmm. Yeah, I would agree with that 100%.
So here's a sample sentence. I'm glad you're working in the company.
I have an open door policy, so never hesitate to ask me anything.
Okay. It would be a little bit like you would not say this to your supervisor.
That would actually be funny if you did.
Yeah, it's like assume the door is open for the supervisor.
Like that's, you know... It'd be hilarious.
You mean like if you were an employee, like a new hire and you sat down.
Yeah. Oh, I have an open door policy. Put my feet on the desk.
OK, I have an open door policy here. So feel free to ask me questions.
Right. Right. No, that's not how it goes.
Could you say this? Would it be weird if you said this just to an equal somebody on the same level?
It would be weird. yeah also weird yeah so guys just keep in mind this is something that a boss or someone above you communicates to you it's not something you say to someone at your level right right um or it's not something you would say to someone uh yeah above you okay good okay right so what about this next one if you say it like this my door is always open what do you think of that Same.
I mean, a little better. It feels a little more like what a teacher might say, actually, rather than like a professor, I guess, in an academic setting to me.
Would you would you agree? I mean, you could still say that in the business world as a manager.
It just feels a little friendlier. I don't know.
It is. It is a little friendlier. But I actually think that you could say this one not to your boss, but I think you could say it to an equal.
Yeah. OK. I like that. I'm on board with that.
I would agree. Yeah. So how would that sound?
Okay, Michelle, here it is. So you think you understand the format now?
If you aren't sure, let me know. My door's always open.
Yeah, I don't see any major harm in saying that to a colleague.
And now, of course, guys, a lot of us are working online full time, right?
So when you say doors, you might mean, yeah, that's actually a really good question, Michelle.
Oh, that would make a great episode that we should plan.
Our listeners should hit follow right now to get this episode.
What are some expressions that are going to go out of style due to people working online so much now?
You know, what are some expressions that have to be said in the physical office?
This one, you don't have to. You can say it metaphorically.
Right. But you should follow it up by maybe being on Skype more, having your Skype open or being on Slack or something.
Right. Like put your money where your mouth is.
Right. Right. Right. Exactly. That that is good.
Yes. I will look into that. So another thing you could say is I'm here if you need anything. and that's not about the door but it's expressing this idea um what do you think about that in the business world even better especially even more useful between colleagues or maybe if a colleague who's been there longer than you just trained you on something great for that person to say to you right um so for example i know you're gonna do great here i'm here if you need anything Yeah, this might happen at the end of a training, for example.
Right, right, right, right. Or the last form is feel free to ask any questions you may have.
What would be a sample sentence there, Michelle?
Because I hope I explained this well. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Yeah, I like it. I like it. Yeah, these are all super useful.
And you guys, our listeners, you are going to be in leadership positions, right?
You are improving your English. You're moving up your company.
In your company, because of this, you need to be ready with these phrases that show leadership, but also show openness, right?
Openness to building a good company culture.
Abercrombie's viral denim sale is back. And Spotify listeners get an extra 15% off with code SPOTIFYAF.
Abercrombie is known for their denim. With 30 to 50% off all jeans, find out how denim should feel.
Shop the viral denim sale in the Abercrombie app, online or in stores.
Valid in stores and online through August 11th, 2025 in US and Canada.
Excludes clearance, price reflects discount.
Code valid in US and Canada through August 11th, 2025.
Exclusions apply. See details online. Okay, Michelle, what's next?
All right. So why are these important? So these are I feel like these are very kind expressions.
They bring about connection in the workplace.
They make people feel like more open and friendly and they're developing the workplace culture and building relationships.
And should you ever not use them? well i guess you have to be careful if you're if it's not true like if you're just saying that as as the boss or a manager uh or someone in a higher position in a company if you really don't want people to come to you don't say that right tell them where to go maybe there's someone else they can go to because when they start coming to you they're going to feel that frustration in your voice and that's going to create a toxic culture true true true true exactly so make sure you are being honest if you are the type of person who really does want that open like communication that's great but if not that's going to frustrate you don't tell people that yeah we need to be in touch with ourselves as business leaders we can feel when we've said something that's not true to who we are right when we've just said something like oh that didn't feel right Right.
It's so much better to be yourself. If you have a leadership style where you just want to do higher level things, then just figure out a way to make that other staff member feel supported.
It doesn't have to be through you, but just like understand who you are as a leader and build the systems around that.
I would say. Right. Right. I like that. So should we do a role play where we work on these expressions?
Let's do it, Michelle. So here you and I, I am new in a company and you are showing me around.
You are above me, slightly above me in the company, right?
Good. All right. Here we go. Okay, great.
So I think that's everything. Thank you so much for explaining all this.
No problem. I'm here if you need anything.
I know it can be hard adjusting to a new place.
Oh, I really appreciate it. Of course. And just so you know, my door is always open.
I have an open door policy. I think communication is so important.
Perfect. I think this is going to be so great.
Absolutely. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Thank you. Great. Good onboarding. Good onboarding.
Good training. All right. So first here, I said, thank you so much for explaining all of this.
And you said, no problem. I'm here if you need anything.
Right. And then I said, and just so you know, my door is always open.
Yeah. And then you also said, I have an open door policy.
Yeah. And I could see those two coming together in a sentence.
Right. Right. Connecting the you're kind of making it a little bit.
It's like you're saying my door's always open.
That's what usually happens. And then you're saying, here's my system.
Here's my policy. You know what I mean?
You're like extending how you're explaining that.
So you're emphasizing that that's important to you to be available to employees, right?
True. And then I said, feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Love it. Love it. Wow. This is good. So what's the takeaway for our listeners today on Business English?
Guys, well, these expressions show openness at work.
They're kind, but you got to make sure that you use them correctly.
Don't tell your boss you have an open door policy.
So you have to think about the hierarchy in the office and when is it appropriate to use them.
So we went over that today and only use them if you really feel them.
Right. And listen to that other episode that we told you about, because that's really a good way to connect the whole idea.
Yeah, totally. And I think that would be a hilarious meme if someone wants to do that.
Or TikTok skit, you know, on the first day, a new employee coming in and telling their boss they have an open door policy.
Yeah, I think the most important thing to keep in mind, guys, is know yourself as a leader.
As you move up in your company, especially an English speaking company, right?
If you're living in the US or abroad, know who you are.
Know, do you want to have an open door policy?
You could choose that and set up the systems around it.
I also want to remind our listeners about All Ears English podcast, Michelle.
What do you think about that one? Pretty good one.
Been around for 10 years. Very good one.
Yes. We love the All Ears English podcast.
Guys, if you haven't listened to that, it is a huge, huge podcast.
Huge podcast. Yes, we talk about English, English grammar, vocabulary, idioms, culture, so many things.
And it's a lot of fun. We also go on YouTube for there.
I love it. So go and type in All Ears English and you'll see that other show.
If for some reason you're not following that, make sure you follow it right away.
Good stuff, Michelle. I'll talk to you very soon.
Have a good take care of that voice and have a good week.
Thank you. Bye, guys. Bye. Thank you for listening to Business English, a podcast just for you, the high achieving global professional.
Want more from All Ears English? Don't miss our biggest and best podcast with 8 million monthly downloads.
Just search for the All Ears English podcast and hit follow to get four new episodes per week on fluency, American culture, grammar, and so much more.
Or tap the link in the show notes. Remember, we believe in connection, not perfection when it comes to learning English.
Follow the All Ears English podcast now.
