Stereotyping Your Office

On May 21 of this year, I posted about how others stereotype us based on our wardrobe, speech patterns, and behaviors, both conscious and unconscious.  The conclusion of the post was to realize that stereotyping is going to occur, no matter how much we disagree with it or how wrong we think that it is.  Taking this a step further, the current issue of Psychology Today offers up what your office area says about you.

According to Sam Gosling, a personality researcher at the University of Texas, Austin and Meredith Wells, a psychologist at East Kentucky University, here is what your office might be saying to your supervisors, bosses, and co-workers:

• Plants & Foliage – plants that are well-cared for indicates someone who plans to stay.
  
• Post-it Notes – An over-reliance on Post-It Notes is a sign of overwhelm.
• Whose Got the Time? – Those who “get it done” are time conscious and will often have a time piece somewhere to help them keep track of the time. “Clock lovers are often meticulous and hardworking.”
• Family Photos – The interpretation of this one is divided.  Some psychologists say family photos are a status symbol. Others say they are a genuine reminder of loved ones and are displayed due to guilt of so much time away from them.  Look at how the photos are displayed.  Facing guests?  Think status symbols.  Facing the office owner?  Personal reasons for display.
• Candy Bowl – This can be anything that lures others into the workspace.  It is an indication of an extrovert.  Introverts don’t place anything that draws others in their workspace.
• Motivation Plaques, Posters, etc. – This person is engaged in their job and wants to stay engaged.
• Posters of Celebrities or Historical Figures – Indicates values and aspirations.
• Level of Personalization – How much personalizing (i.e., decorating) a worker does to their space indicates the level of security in their environment.  They are comfortable enough to make it their own.
• Tidiness – Although we try to hide this by shoving items in drawers, psychologists say this is a personality trait that is extremely difficult to change.  A neat and organized desk and workspace indicates a neat and organized person.  “No matter how hard people try to clean up, usually they can never fully hide their true nature.”
• The Empty Desk – Barren work spaces indicate a worker who has little status in the organization and who probably isn’t dedicated to his/her job.  These people simply are not committed.

Look around at your office.  What does your workspace say about you?

Source

Comments

[Karen]

I tend to agree with all the signs, except for the last one (empty desks). At the company I work for there is a policy to clear your desk at the end of the day of almost all papers due to confidential requirements. I like to keep my desk clear of all personal objects, but think that I am still committed to my work.

[Manish Jethani]

Your last point is nonsense. My desk is empty and I'm one of the most productive workers in my organization (I keep my work inside my head and on my laptop).

[Bert]

Sorry, folks, those observations and interpretations are not mine. For me to change what the pschologists said would be a journalistic "sin" (even though the one dealing with desk clutter hit close home to me).

By the way, Even though I know how strongly you feel about these (especially Manish), how do you know that your supervisors don't view your workspaces the same way as the psychologists in their interpretations of your desks. Looks like an interesting point for dialog.

[Charles Martin]

Some employers also understand the positive benefits of allowing their employees to customize their cubicles. After all, if you can make it feel more homey and less like a prison cell, then you feel more at ease at work and more likely to get things done. Especially if customizing allows for your own flavor of GTD to be implemented.

[dylan]

My primary desk is a patio table out on my deck right now. Wonder what them psychologists will say about that.

[sisco]

So if my desk is clean, but is stacked with tons of magazines, design books, type specimens, and self promos, what does that say?

[makebusy7]

My desk is barren and I have a shit job but I am really committed to my job. Even though it sucks right now. People who decorate or 'personalize' their desks irritate me. No one wants to see photos of your ugly children and the wife that you cheat on, no one wants your dollar store candy and no one wants to listen to your filthy stinky jesus emblazoned "prayer fountain" drip all damn day long. Leave your shit at home and try to focus on your job.

[Bert]

Oh, man, nerves have been touched all over the place!

Charles - I, too, can understand how those who decorate can be perceived as more committed, as employees who decorate want to make it more comfortable. I wonder if those who decorate put in more hours than those who don't. Sounds like fertile ground for a new study...

Dylan-- If you are getting things done, psychologists would probably call you lucky and would be jealous! Personally, I'd love to work from home, especially on the deck, beside the pool, in my trunks, conducting business on the speaker phone.

Sisco-- Are you sure that's your desk? Sounds like mine on some days.

Makebusy7 - Sounds like you need to get out of the office more often to blow off steam. Although you may be committed, it sounds like you're far from happy...

[Joe Rocco]

How about tidy & decorated, with an unhealthy office supply fetish kicked in? Everything is labeled and in storage boxes, got the 43 folders thing, hipster pda, the whole GTD thing going on. But it's all topped off with 6 huge Lego Star Wars models on shelves above my cube. All the gun turrets are pointed at others...

Although, I too disagree with the empty desk definition. We have two developers in the office and when they leave at night it looks like no one 'lives' in their space. But they're both 100% dedicated & hard-working, totally committed to the company.

- Joe

[Bert]

Okay, I think I see a theme here in a few commnets. I don't think the psychologists were talking about an office that is well-squared away at the end of the day. I think they were talking about an office area where the owner makes no attempt to personalize the space or mark the space as theirs at all. I guess this is like not decorating a motel room. You're just passing through. You have no ownership of the space.

In some professions, a spartan decor is forced. In mine, for example, transfers happen often and with little notice. We are told that it is wise to "keep a 3-minute locker", which means have just enough personal items to make one trip out the door. Unfortunately, at my last transfer, it took an entire weekend and three helpers to move me out. I wonder what it means when one uses personal furniture to personalize his/her space (C'mon, I had a huge office that was just begging for furniture!)? Besides, at this point in my career, I'm at a level in my district that allows me some latitude in my decor preferences.

Joe-- All I can say is "You da man!" You appear to be what I aspire to be. By the way, there is no such thing as an unhealthy office supply fetish. You sound perfectly normal to me!