Workplace Messages

Madeline Mercado Voelker mmercado@mtu.eduPeter A. Larsen palarsen@mtu.edu

Does the use of space matter?

Where would you rather attend a dinner party?

Use of Space

Community University Building Office

Use of Space-Questions to Consider Who makes decisions about how

each space is used? What is the importance of the

decisions? Who is affected by these decisions? How do we balance private rights

against public interests?

Stereotyping What does your space say about

you? Personality researcher Sam Gosling

(University of Texas, Austin) studies the signals workplaces (and bedrooms) send about people—and how accurate these signals are.

Studies published in Psychology Today Available online:

http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/faculty/Gosling/reprints/JPSP02-Roomwithacue.pdf

Stereotyping What does your space say about

you? The results? “…an observer who has briefly

examined an individual’s living or working environment will form impressions that are remarkably consistent with other observers’ impressions…”

“…Furthermore, those impressions are often accurate.”

Let’s play: The office stereotyping game!

Stereotyping: Plants & Foliage

Survey Says:

Well cared for plants indicate someone who plans to stay.

Stereotyping: Post-it Notes

Survey Says:

Over-reliance on Post-it notes is a sign of being overwhelmed.

Stereotyping: Who’s Got the Time?

Survey Says:

Those who “get it done” are often time-conscious. “Clock lovers are often meticulous and hard-

working.”

Stereotyping: Family Photos

Survey Says:

Interpretation is divided: Some say family photos are a status symbol, others say a “genuine reminder of loved ones.” If

displayed toward guests: status symbols. If displayed toward office owner: personal reasons.

Stereotyping: Candy Bowl

Survey Says:

Not only candy—anything to “lure” others to your workspace. An indication of an extrovert.

Stereotyping: Motivational Plaques & Posters

Survey Says:

This person is engaged in their job and wants to stay engaged.

Stereotyping: Posters of Celebrities or Historical Figures

Survey Says:

Indicates values and aspirations.

Stereotyping: Personalization

Survey Says:

Level of personalization indicates and individual’s level of security in their environment—they are

comfortable enough to make it their own.

Stereotyping: Empty Desk

Survey Says:

Barren workspaces indicate a worker who has little status in the organization and who probably isn’t dedicated to

his/her job.

Stereotyping: Tidiness

Survey Says:

Psychologists say this personality trait is hard to change. A neat & organized workspace indicates a

neat and organized person.

Messages From Your Workplace

What messages are received by others? Another study: Poor housekeepers received lower ratings on

measures of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Intelligence, and Femininity

Poor housekeepers received higher ratings on measures of openness and Neuroticism.

What message does your workspace send to you? How does it make you feel?

Your Work Space

70-90% American workers personalize their workspaces

Two Primary Issues to consider Productivity-does your space help or hinder

your productivity? Be honest. Ask others to give you an objective opinion.

First impressions-as the previous studies suggest, housekeeping is a cue utilized in environmental impression formation.

A real-life example:

An email from a supervisor at the Natural Resource Group, in Minneapolis, MN"Rich, I noticed that there is a deer head in

the office next to you. Is it yours? If not, do you know whose it is? If it is yours, I will need you to keep the light off in that office and close the door as we have auditors touring the offices today. Also, if it is yours, you will be taking it home with you tonight, correct?”

Michigan TechExamples

(now is the time you should start to get worried…wondering if we took

a picture of YOUR office)

Examples from our campus

More examples

Examples, continued

Do you want to change your space?

5S Technique Sort / Seiri/ Housekeeping

Eliminate unnecessary items from the workplace Set In Order/Seiton/ Workplace Organization

Efficient and effective storage methods Shine / Seiso/ Cleanup

Daily follow-up cleaning is necessary. Eliminate the clutter.

Standardize/Seiketsu/Keep Clean Develop easy-to-follow stardards and develop a

structure to support them Sustain/Shitsuke/Discipline

This is by far the most difficult S to implement and achieve – why? Human nature is to resist change.

Practical Suggestions

Find a Friend! “Accountability breeds responsibility.” –

Stephen R. Covey Plan a regular time. You don’t do what

you don’t schedule. Be realistic. Use a timer. You can do just

about anything for 15 minutes. Remember: Everything got where it is

because someone put it there. Change your daily patterns.

Electronic Filing: Reduce the clutter!

Do you feel like you can’t change?

Would you rather not change?

Is a Messier Desk Better?

Even if you see yourself as a creative genius who thrives in a messy environment,

chances are your co-workers and students don’t see your area the same way!

For more information:

“How to Organize Your Desk” http://www.bremercommunications.com/

How_To_Organize_Your_Desk.htm

5-S http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5S

A fun iVillage.com quiz: http://quiz.ivillage.com/home/tests/workplacesez2.htm

“How to Organize Your Desk and Keep it Organized” http://www.bremercommunications.com/

How_To_Organize_Your_Desk.htm