According to Bernadette Kenny, senior vice president of human resources at Adecco North American, this could be for a variety of reasons. “Perhaps this is because they are in higher positions and are inundated with more work. Or, perhaps those with smaller salaries are in more junior-level positions, where they need to comply with someone else’s standards and strive to make a good impression on managers.”
Or maybe it just takes too much time to get organized. “We don’t factor in the time it takes to be organized,” says Eric Abrahamson, co-author of A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder, and a professor of management at
What does your workplace say about you? Researchers claim that desks may reveal the true personality, habits, and ambitions of their owners. Hundreds of workspaces belonging to office workers were studied by Donna Dawson, a behavioral psychologist with Adecco. She examined the layout and patterns of possessions on desks and found six main types of personality.
- The Super-Organized Desk. This functional workplace is very neat with no frills or personal clutter. Likely to be a super-efficient secretary or assistant, only the essentials are prominent; a pen, notebook and stapler. They want to feel needed and can be very charming when they feel others are relying on them. This desk personality can be subject to mood swings and may disguise a chip on its owner’s shoulder from lack of appreciation.
- The Personality Extension Desk. Covered with dozens of personal touches, this desk displays poster, photos, holiday cards and zany mouse-mats. The owner may even keep personal items such as vitamin pills, hand cream or perfume easily accessible. This personality is very energetic, and keeps food, drink and other items readily available for quick nourishment. They are friendly and talkative but may not be discreet with confidential information.
- The Show Desk. This desk has been carefully scripted to present an image of the importance of its occupant. It is very large with few items visible and no personal memorabilia. Giving the impression of space and control, this individual is likely to have a double sided personality. Although friendly in a social group, they become coldly professional once behind the desk. Few people at work will ever know the real person behind the façade.
to others that could be a factor in your success. Remember people will judge you by what you show them.
Barbara Bartlein, CSP, is The People Pro and president of Great Lakes Consulting Group which helps businesses sell more goods and services by developing people. She can be reached at 888-747-9953 or by e-mail at barb@thepeoplepro.com. Visit her Web site at: http://www.thepeoplepro.com/.
