A year or so ago, I reflected on my college professors’ practice of posting office hours so that we could go in and chat about our courses or anything related. In the same thought, I considered my team and the fact that they are scattered through X states in five timezones.
If we were all working in the same office building, I probably would have reserved an hour or two each week where anyone in my organization can stop in to talk about anything: current issues, projects, career planning, whatever.
Last year, I started weekly office hours – a virtual meeting that lasts 90 mins. Everyone in my org is invited, and attendance is optional. The purpose: my being available to answer questions, offer guidance, voice opinions, and so on. It’s also an opportunity for catching up on non-work topics as time allows.
Peter H. Gregory 