Is a “clean desk” the sign of an efficient, well-organized, and productive employee, or an indicator of something else? Many employees have clutter-free work surfaces. Others always have stacks of paperwork, phone messages, and assorted other things. If a messy desk is a sign of a messy mind, what is an empty desk a sign of?
CONFLICTING REPORTS
There are several studies and a lot of anecdotal information about the cleanliness of the workplace. Managers would like definitive answers about employee organizational practices and which approaches work best. Unfortunately, as is the case with most human behavior issues, clear answers are hard to come by. The following is a sampling of some studies and expert opinions.
The employment agency Ajilon reports that “only 11% of workers earning more than $75,000 a year call themselves neat freaks, compared with 66% of those earning $35,000 or less.” (Mine Kimes, Fortune, Oct. 8, 2008, CNNMoney.com.) So is neatness inversely correlated with income? Probably not. However, organizational skills and styles vary considerably.
David Freedman, a self-described “disorder analyst” and author, says that the concept of organization is bound to context. “People do better when they are in their natural state: neat or messy.” (kimes, Fortune) This indicates that when you force people out of their comfort zone, they may be less productive, even when their behavior is at odds with conventional or optimally desired practice.
Herman Miller, the office furniture supplier, conducted a study of organizational habits in the workplace and found that “filing cabinets” actually stored more useless information than their sloppy counterparts. He also identified a group of “work masters,” particularly efficient employees, and reported that these employees were more inclined to “stack than file.” (Miller’s finding seems counter-intuitive, although “out of sight, out of mind” may apply here.)
On the other hand, some studies suggest that up to fifteen percent of your time can be wasted with a cluttered desk, because you can get distracted by things or not be able to find them easily.
And many managers have learned to use technology to stay organized. They are comfortable having files, reports and data on their desktop, laptop or Blackberry.
IS IT ALL RELATED TO INDIVIDUAL LEARNING AND THINKING STYLES?
People have different learning styles such as visual, auditory or kinesthetic, they like to see, hear or touch. Some employees prefer to see their work and use post-it notes, paperwork, postings on their cubicle walls, etc. Others prefer conversations, instructions, dialogue, etc. Still others need to feel, touch and experience. How much these preferences translate into organizational characteristics remains to be seen. However, it seems likely that those who like to touch want to have their work close to them, and those who like to watch, too.
Another factor that can enter the equation is the “right brain”/”left brain” theory (“left brain/right brain” weekly science, Flight. 19, Number 10, January 24, 2003. pp. 1-12). You will recall that left-brained people are more organized, rational, methodical, and linear thinkers, while right-brained people are less conventional, random, intuitive, and creative. Guess which ones are most likely to have the messiest desks?
PRACTICAL ANALYSIS
Some managers equate clean work surfaces with well-organized, efficient, and productive employees, while others believe it’s a sign that “there’s too little to do.”
It’s probably simplistic to draw conclusions about a person’s abilities, productivity, effectiveness, or personality from the appearance of their desk. So go ahead, declutter your desk or clean it up, either way, you’ve got research to back up your decision.
SOME USEFUL TIPS
Despite the conflicting data, an employee should consider these guidelines:
–Understand and abide by your employer’s expectations and policies
–When dealing with clients or the public, your expectations of cleanliness are likely to be higher than if you work in a back office.
–Try the use of techniques and aids such as organizers, filing systems, in/out baskets, labeling, one-time paper handling, etc.
–If you’re technologically inclined, you probably already use calendars, reminders, and digital data storage and retrieval systems on computers and smartphones
–Don’t be too hard on yourself, your style may not be the same as most employees, although it can work effectively
–If organizational skills are “hardwired” into our personality or thinking style, it can be difficult to change
–If you are hopelessly disorganized, you may need the help of a professional organizer (consultant)