Who lives in a Tower like this ?

There are many occupants of the Ivory Tower ranging from senior executives at the top to line managers and team leaders at the bottom. Each has their position within the hierarchy.

Most spend their lives travelling to and from the tower, never taking up permanent residence. Their view from the tower may not be as extensive as from the higher floors, but what they can see they can relate directly to the actual environment on the ground. They have a comprehensive knowledge of the type of obstacles that can be encountered, not only because they have stepped outside the tower to see for themselves, but also because they were once tasked with surmounting similar obstacles.

Others prefer the comfort of the tower, rarely leaving its secure surroundings.

For those occupants of the top floor, that is their right. After all, they are the ones primarily responsible for the building of the Ivory Tower in the first place. From their vantage point they need to be able to see the Bigger Picture.

How many senior managers have the time, or inclination, to step out of the Ivory Tower and find out what actually does happen on the ground ?

This may sometimes seem as though they are undermining the roles and responsibilities of subordinates by checking up on their departments, but should be seen more as a PR exercise, where good practices are acknowledged and also shows the work force that the person who signs their pay cheque is not a faceless wonder, but is actually a human being.

Sometimes you have to step out of the Ivory Tower to go and see the picture for yourself.
Managers who regularly see things for themselves, always have a better understanding of what is being reporting to them.

Managers who lock themselves away in the Ivory Tower, only ever have a view out of their window.