We live in an increasingly connected, some would say open, world. And yet there still seems to be no shortage of gatekeepers, whose primary function is to guard against unfettered access to people, places and ideas. Have you worked out how to get past the gatekeepers?
I suppose the value of a gatekeeper depends on which side of the gate you are on at the time.
If you are on the ‘inside’ you might well think that your gatekeeper protects you from the howling mob at the gate, hell-bent on invading your precious time while you struggle with the challenge of doing a good job.
Anyone ‘protected’ by a gatekeeper must worry, at least occasionally, about being unwittingly denied access to a genuinely useful transaction.
While those on the ‘outside’ may think that the gatekeeper is simply an obstacle – to be removed at any cost – that is preventing a vital connection being made.
Good gatekeeping is a skilful occupation, often honed by hard-won lessons.
But, just like any other job, not all gatekeepers are good, or effective; they may not have been given adequate direction by those inside the gate; or they may not have understood the role endowed to them; or, of course, they may just be on their own ‘power-trip’ and enjoy getting in the way.
Attitude (on both sides of the transaction) has a lot to do with negotiating the gate and getting past the gatekeeper is an equally skilful occupation that requires awareness, flexibility of approach and persistence.
Do the gatekeepers help, or hinder progress? Have you got any good ways of getting past them?
You may also like to read:
- a new broom speaks clean
