by Stephen T. Messenger
July 21, 2026
Have you ever gone somewhere to meet someone new? Honestly, it’s a little awkward, finding the building or room and launching right into a meet-and-greet. You’re on their turf and are feeling it out while they’re comfortable and confident in their territory. But in those initial stages of team building, it’s important to get off on the right foot.
If we flip the script and find ourselves with the home field advantage, a way to make the other person feel more comfortable is by meeting them at the door. I am convinced that taking time to greet someone as far forward as possible is a game changer for building relationships and a skill we should all master.
The College Welcoming Committee
The Army War College runs a distance program where, at the end of the first year, the students arrive in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to conduct a two-week, in-residence portion. This is a place that most had never visited before. As one of the (many) faces of the instructor team, if I were really on my game, I would have stood at the door and welcomed each student as they arrived on day one.
I didn’t. But luckily, there’s more to this story. We worked on Saturday and thought the main building door might be locked to the students. Arriving early, we stood outside and held it open for them. You might have thought that we were welcoming them to their birthday party based on some of the reactions.
After about half the class entered, we ramped it up on the front door stairs. They have a little bit of a Philadelphia Art Museum vibe to them, so we started playing the “Rocky” theme song. While the Army War College has an academic and serious feel, the unexpected appearance of an iconic movie score and high-energy greeters set the stage.
Now, the students experienced an enthusiastic instructor team, a held door, and motivating music while climbing a mini-version of the Rocky steps. The results were incredible, and you could physically see the energy levels rising from the students.
That morning proved that a great reception isn’t accidental but intentional. To replicate this kind of energy and make an impactful first impression, we should be focused on greeting people well.
How to Greet People
Nothing is hard about greeting someone. At a minimum, it takes presence and a smile. But to be an exceptional greeter and make a lasting impact as someone who cares about developing relationships, we should intentionally plan how we do it. While playing movie themes works for large groups, everyday leadership requires a more personal playbook.
1. Meet them as far forward as possible. In my case, I met them at the outside building door to greet them, shake their hands, and thank them for coming. If they’re flying in, meeting them at the airport is an exceptional touch. The military likes to stand in parking lots as cars drive up to render honors as people arrive. Whatever point we choose, meeting them early is a great touch.
2. Have more than one greeter. Everyone likes to be welcomed; it makes them feel special. Having a few extra people say hi makes an impression that visitors are welcome and part of the team. We had a greeter and a door holder with a welcome spirit and quick conversation as the students arrived. The more the merrier.
3. Provide information. While we didn’t do this on Saturday, on the first day I stood inside the building entrance directing traffic. When people show up for the first time to a new place, they’re generally confused. Having a person who provides information on the day’s schedule, a building layout, the locations of water and restrooms, and an overview of what they’re doing is always helpful.
4. Smile and keep smiling. The first impression of being excited is incredibly important. But so many times I’ve seen a welcoming smile that never reappears. The rest of the day is just business. Good greeters are happy to see people. Great greeters remain happy to host someone the entire day.
When we do these things, we see a more cohesive, responsive, positive, and integrated group upon first contact. This method gets us past the initial awkwardness and builds relationships before our event even starts.
Set Conditions for Success
Greeting people at the door, no matter if they are higher or lower in our organizational hierarchy, sets conditions for future success. To translate this into everyday terms:
- If someone is coming to our building for the first time, stand outside and wait for them
- When someone is visiting our workspace, get up and move to the entryway to shake their hand
- During a meeting we’re hosting, thank everyone for coming and, if able, greet them before the meeting starts
It is amazing how small, simple gestures make a huge impact on what we’re doing. These acts make leaders more approachable, human, and engaging. A small presentation of servant leadership bears great fruit and immediately shows that we’re willing to build relationships and lay a foundation of teamwork.
Sometimes, we can’t always be there, and that’s okay. For the first wave of students, I was in a prep meeting and couldn’t break away. But we have people who can help. True leadership means embedding this culture into our team. If we can’t make it, ensure a representative is there on our behalf.
The Door Is Worth It
I did this once waiting in a hotel lobby for the final arrival of a traveling team that was showing up after midnight. I questioned if this was worth it. This person wasn’t new to me. We had known each other for a few months, and he’d already asked me not to wait up. But I wanted to greet him when he arrived.
As he entered the hotel, weary from a long trek across the country, I watched his shoulders drop in relief. The surprise on his face and his immediate gratitude proved that his leader caring enough to meet him at the door mattered.
It was worth it.
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