What Does Your Desk Say About You?
Kori Rodley Irons
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Can the way you keep your desk help or hinder you in the workplace? Is your desk, cubicle or office sending the message you want to convey to your coworkers and supervisor? What exactly does your desk say about you? 
A messy, sloppy desk tells people you are disorganized and overwhelmed. Even if you work better in chaos and swear you can find anything and know exactly where everything is--mess says lack of organization and self-respect to coworkers and bosses. People are wondering just exactly what's going on at your station and what important information might be lost in the stacks and piles. Even if you work in chaos, it is a good idea to tidy things when you leave work to show you can and do have respect for your work environment.
On the other hand, a desk that is bare, extremely clean or too carefully arranged may tell people you are inflexible, set in your ways, or unwilling to take risks and try new things. Additionally, people may wonder if you are actually getting any work done if there are no signs anywhere on your desk.
What sort of decor do you have on your desk? An abundance of family and children pictures, drawings, poems, notes, etc. tells your coworkers that your focus in on family. Of course, this isn't a bad thing--but overdone it can send a message that you are not present at work or committed to the team tasks or department efforts. Motivational sayings and inspirational quotes may show a seriousness about self-improvement and an ethical stance. If all of your quotes or sayings are from biblical and religious text, coworkers will get the message loud and clear that you are focuses on religion. Depending on where you work and your company culture--this can be a good thing or a not-so-good thing.
A messy, sloppy desk tells people you are disorganized and overwhelmed. Even if you work better in chaos and swear you can find anything and know exactly where everything is--mess says lack of organization and self-respect to coworkers and bosses. People are wondering just exactly what's going on at your station and what important information might be lost in the stacks and piles. Even if you work in chaos, it is a good idea to tidy things when you leave work to show you can and do have respect for your work environment.
On the other hand, a desk that is bare, extremely clean or too carefully arranged may tell people you are inflexible, set in your ways, or unwilling to take risks and try new things. Additionally, people may wonder if you are actually getting any work done if there are no signs anywhere on your desk.
What sort of decor do you have on your desk? An abundance of family and children pictures, drawings, poems, notes, etc. tells your coworkers that your focus in on family. Of course, this isn't a bad thing--but overdone it can send a message that you are not present at work or committed to the team tasks or department efforts. Motivational sayings and inspirational quotes may show a seriousness about self-improvement and an ethical stance. If all of your quotes or sayings are from biblical and religious text, coworkers will get the message loud and clear that you are focuses on religion. Depending on where you work and your company culture--this can be a good thing or a not-so-good thing.