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There are papers on the floor, across the desk and resting on the keyboard. Piles of files are all around. Magazines, newspapers…you name it. Just about anything can be found in this office. You've seen it in your own organization. You know what I am talking about. Several years ago an employee called me because her performance review included items relating to the disorganized state of her office. When I arrived, her office was piled high with papers. I began asking questions. Are you late with assignments? Does it take you more than 15 seconds to find information? Do you tend to completely lose information? With each question the answer was 'No'. Probing a little further, I discovered that her supervisor needed to walk past her office every time she wanted to get to the front of the building. So he passed by her cubicle several times a day. Each and every time he walked by, he mentally noted the condition of her office. It seemed her true work performance was not in question… the concern was about her organizing skills. Why? For many people, a messy desk is a messy mind. And the concern with a messy mind is that work isn’t getting done. Whether we like it or not, appearances do matter. An employee with a messy desk and office is often perceived as out of control, non-caring, ineffective and inefficient. It can cause the person to be passed over for a promotion. As a manager, you are also a role model. Direct reports are watching. And forming their own impressions. On a wider scale, I remember a client company that hired me to coach some of their employees on time management. The company had a 'Clean Desk' policy, which meant that before employees left for the day, desktops were to be free of loose papers. I was assured the policy was enforced. In fact, employees had been seen dumpster-diving to find loose papers they left on their desk the night before which had been thrown out by the cleaning crew. Although I don't necessarily advocate this particular type of policy or enforcement, it seems that a more organized and effective way to face each new day would be to end the previous day by taking a few moments to place loose papers in a container. Storing papers on the floor is never a good idea, so try keeping them 'above sea level'. A letter tray, a box, a basket… anything to containerize the papers and create a clear space on your desktop. Loose file folders can be put in their own container or in the front of a filing cabinet drawer. Get in the habit of taking a few minutes every day to keep the desktop organized. It will help prevent the judgment and negative impression people walk away with when they see a messy desk. And you might just like it, too! Copyright 2005 Cynthia Kyriazis. All rights reserved. Article Index: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 |
More Articles:1. 7 Essential Elements To Every Organizational Change [This article is based on excerpts from the special report 'Overcoming Resistance to Change' by Dr. Mike Beitler.]Senior management often creates a plan for implementing an organizational change while completely ignoring the following elements necessary for every organizational change. Without these elements the attempted changes will always create a large amount of resistance. Change leaders and facilitators beware!1. Involve the people who will be affecting (and affected by) the change. (No bu… Kitchen Remodelers Austin 2. Allan Kempert Discovered That Truly All You Gotta Do Is Ask. A year or so ago, I met Allan Kempert. Allan was the Quality Assurance Supervisor for a metal stamping company in Ontario, and just completed Norman Bodek’s book, The Idea Generator, Quick and Easy Kaizen. As Allan explains, he couldn’t put the book down because it was such a simple approach and he knew that it was going to empower the employees at his place of employment. In fact, Allan had tears in his eyes a few times while reading the book because he realized that he had come across a jewel.… 3. Unlock the Hidden Creativity of Your Employees To release creativity in employees, managers must get involved in their employees’ work. Look at each employee as if he or she is the expert on the job and tap into their creative energy.We’ve learned that we can use the energy of the wind and the sun. We’ve also learned to harness energy stored in the form of coal and oil. Creative energy, like any other kind of energy, can be harnessed and managed.When we engage our employees and tap into their creative energy, they can show us ways to improve… 4. Executive Humor at Meetings By John Mackenzie I don't encourage managers to wear funny hats, appear in self-deprecating skits, or otherwise emulate Saturday Night Live in an attempt to manufacture an image as, "Look, folks! I'm just one a' the guys!" If clients insist, I do what I can to help. I want the money. But it's not usually such a hot idea.I know it's done. Frequently. And I read reports of the exhilarating effects created by executives who deliver call-to-action keynotes dressed as a gunfighter or sumo wrestler. I notice, also, t… |
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