Beyond Closed Doors: Embracing Change and Growth

The weight of this unseen obstacle bears down on you, casting a long shadow over your thoughts and actions. It’s as if an invisible wall has been erected in your mind, and you can’t seem to find a way around it. The mental show stopper looms large, its presence palpable and oppressive. It seems to seep into every corner of your mind, making it difficult to focus or think clearly. As you try to push past it, you find yourself becoming more and more frustrated. The harder you try, the more elusive a solution seems to be.

It is not uncommon to face the situation discussed above by us at one point in time in our life or other. It is one of the most common fears that people grapple with: the fear of encountering “Shut Doors” in various situations:

When applying for higher education
When expressing love
When proposing to a potential life partner
When applying for jobs
When seeking help
When reaching out to authorities or regulators
….

The fear stems from the assumption that if a “Door is Shut,” there is no alternative, leaving one feeling stuck. This mentality symbolizes closing off possibilities, opportunities, or chapters in life.

One has to choose between “Shut Door” and “Beginning of New Cycle”

Subramaniam P G

How do we deal with this situation? Our common responses include:

Knock and Wait: We hope something will change our situation, relying on luck or chance.
Communication: We communicate with everyone possible, often through rambling, requesting, pleading, or fighting. While some sympathy may be received, finding real help depends on factors beyond our control.
Understanding: We examine why the door was shut, preparing us for the next door, even if the current one remains closed.

Despite efforts, many fail to check if the door is truly “shut.” It could be due to belief or unverified information.

In organizations, cultivating a culture that avoids the “Door is Shut” mentality is crucial for individual and organizational growth. This fear is a significant bottleneck to experimentation and managing failures. Organizations can address this by:

Encouraging an open-door policy for communication across all levels.
Promoting transparency in processes and factors impacting individuals and teams.
Maintaining high accessibility, both physically and digitally, for seeking help or guidance.
Avoiding a “we” vs. “them” mindset among different functions.
Creating a culture where embracing change is valued and rewarded.

Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.

Zig Ziglar

Individuals when faced with such situation seek answers to the questions that will help in analysiing the situation and also focus on the next step. One should not hesitate in asking a question that is obvious.

There are no stupid questions, only curious ones. And those who dare to ask demonstrate their willingness to learn.

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