Remove the door
In true Matt fashion. I was recently rewatching a classic rom-com in friends with benefits. There was a scene that made me reflect on something that happened in my past. The big idea? Take the door off, let’s talk.
So, if you haven’t seen the movie (really, who hasn’t?) it’s based around the old “friends with benefits” paradigm. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis decide to head down the road of just being physical with each other with nothing else. Which, history has taught me, or anyone for that matter, that it never works out because ultimately one party will begin to have feelings etc etc… (another discussion). Ultimately they have a big fight, then make up and everyone lives happily ever after. (sorry to ruin it, not really) The scene from the movie though that I want to talk about today is when JT decides to take the new Art Director position at a magazine in New York. As he is getting settled in and makes his first welcome speech he indicates that he has an open door policy. To which he proceeds to take his door off it’s hinges in a demonstration straight out of a Management 102 book, or some self help/motivational employee book ha. It’s funny to me because I had a similar moment early on in my career, back in the cube farm.
It was my first few weeks into my new career in electrical distribution. I was in a rotational program where every 6 months or so I would pick up everything I had and move to a new location. I was moving through different facets of the business and exploring different potential options of where I could end up. The current assignment was in Tulsa, Oklahoma and current rotation was inside sales. If you want the short explanation go watch the interview with Jim from the office when he describes what he does in season 1, except add cubicles. One day I came into work and sat down at my desk for the day, which looked nothing like a typical cubical. I had pictures littered around my walls, a chair for people to sit and chat, and an inviting and homey vibe. I had noticed that my little square of boredom had a small piece of wall that was blocking my view to my other sales team members, but also to allow people to be able to see me. (customers, co-workers, etc.) I decided to take it apart and take it off, similar to the movie when JT took his door off. I wanted my space to feel open, to feel that people could approach me, stay awhile, feel that I was available. This didn’t last long.
Within a week or so my boss had stopped by and asked that I put the door back on the cubicle, to which I objected, yet ultimately complied. I got along with my manager at the time, so it wasn’t a negative interaction, but it brought to me a bigger idea which sparked this article. Be the one who takes the door off. Challenge the status quo. Do things that give you an opportunity to learn, grow, feel uncomfortable. For most of my my life I have been someone who questions things. As a child it made my parents frustrated, in my career I’m sure it did the same. I loved work from people who did the same, Simon Sinek, Tim Ferriss, Jordan Peterson, and many more. There will always be people to come back and put the door on. People who will go with the grain, to ensure that the ship keeps heading in the direction we’re “supposed” to be heading. The real challenge comes in being the dreamer. Being the one to ask why? Being the type of person who challenges the status quo and takes the door off. The one who asks for forgiveness rather than permission. Who will you be?
On Purpose,
Matt
