A gatekeeper is someone who controls access to something valuable or important. Think of an actual gate with a keeper who decides who gets through: a gatekeeper has that same kind of power, but usually over information, opportunities, or resources instead of a physical entrance.

In many organizations, certain people act as gatekeepers. A receptionist might be the gatekeeper who decides which phone calls reach the busy company president. A talent scout serves as a gatekeeper for aspiring actors, choosing who gets auditions for major roles. Editors at publishing houses are gatekeepers who decide which book manuscripts get published and which get rejected.

Teachers can be gatekeepers too. When a teacher decides whether a science project is ready to present at the school fair, they are acting as a gatekeeper. College admissions officers serve as gatekeepers, reviewing applications to determine who gets accepted.

The word sometimes carries a negative feeling, suggesting someone who uses their position to exclude others unfairly or keep too much control. Other times it's neutral or even positive: good gatekeepers protect quality and maintain important standards. A museum curator acts as a gatekeeper to ensure only authentic, significant artwork is displayed.

People often talk about gatekeepers when they are trying to reach someone important or achieve a goal, because they may need to work with the gatekeepers along the way and show why they deserve access to what those gatekeepers control.