Workplace Messages
Madeline Mercado Voelker
mmercado@mtu.edu
Peter 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?
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Stereotyping
What does your space say about you?
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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?
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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

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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 Tech
Examples
(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
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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
Covey
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responsibility.” –Stephen R.
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”
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5-S
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5S
A fun iVillage.com quiz:
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http://www.bremercommunications.com/How_To_Organize_Your_Desk.htm
http://quiz.ivillage.com/home/tests/workplacesez2.htm
“How to Organize Your Desk and Keep it
Organized”

http://www.bremercommunications.com/How_To_Organize_Y
our_Desk.htm