Many leaders pride themselves on being approachable. “My door is always open” is often said with good intentions, meant to signal availability and support. Yet for many Direct Support Professionals, those words alone do not translate into feeling truly supported or heard.
An open door is a start—but it is not a strategy.
Approachability Is Not the Same as Accessibility
While a door may be physically open, DSPs may still hesitate to walk through it. Power dynamics, past experiences, time pressures, or fear of being seen as complaining can all keep staff silent. When leaders rely solely on staff to initiate conversations, important issues often go unspoken.
Accessibility requires effort beyond availability. It requires invitation.
DSPs Are Often in Constant Motion
Direct support work rarely allows for uninterrupted time. DSPs move between individuals, tasks, documentation, and unexpected situations. Waiting for the “right moment” to speak with a supervisor can feel unrealistic or risky.
If leaders are not proactive, concerns may be delayed—or never raised at all.
Silence Does Not Mean Everything Is Fine
When DSPs stop bringing concerns forward, it is often interpreted as things running smoothly. In reality, silence may signal burnout, disengagement, or resignation. Many staff only speak up once they have already decided to leave.
Open doors do not reveal silent struggles. Intentional outreach does.
Trust Is Built Through Presence
Trust grows when leaders show up where the work happens. Walking through programs, checking in during shifts, and having informal conversations communicate genuine interest. Presence signals that leadership understands the work and values the people doing it.
DSPs are more likely to speak openly when leaders are familiar, visible, and consistent.
Asking Matters More Than Waiting
Simple, direct questions can change everything:
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“How are things really going?”
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“What’s making your job harder right now?”
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“What do you need more support with?”
When leaders ask—and listen without defensiveness—they remove barriers to communication and invite honesty.
Follow-Through Is What Makes Doors Meaningful
An open door without action erodes trust. When DSPs do speak up, what happens next matters. Even when solutions are not immediate, acknowledgment and follow-up show respect and credibility.
Support is measured not by access, but by response.
What Works Better Than an Open Door
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Regular check-ins with DSPs
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Being visible and available in the program
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Asking intentional questions
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Listening without interruption or dismissal
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Acting on feedback when possible—and explaining when it is not
The Bottom Line
“My door is always open” is well-intentioned, but it places the burden on DSPs to speak up. Strong leadership shifts that burden by reaching out, staying present, and creating consistent opportunities for conversation.
When leaders move beyond open doors and into active engagement, trust grows—and so does the quality of support.
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