Workplace Doctor: Cluttered workspace could mean creativity – or a lack of self-control

Don't order the office slob to clean up their desk - it could be fuelling their creativity.

I sit next to a colleague who is barely visible beneath piles of paperwork, books, plants, photographs and other miscellaneous items. Last time I dared to venture into their space I also noticed empty coffee cups and dirty plates under the table. I understand we all have different styles, but this is clutter at a whole new level. How do I tackle this? MG, Dubai

We are all different in terms of how we like to work, manage our time and maintain our working space. Most psychologists will say that our desk or office is a reflective of the approach we take to our work; with those who keep their desks immaculate, likely to be organised, conscientious and structured. Whereas those like your neighbour, preferring an eclectic arrangement, are more likely to adopt a flexible and emergent way of working.

While many of us might make these kind of judgements, I’d say most of our assumptions are wrong. I have had former colleagues who spent more time organising their stationary than their work and another whose dress code, office and even their car looked like they had been collecting antiques for the last 15 years, yet they were extremely organised, reliable and full of good ideas. This person also had the uncanny ability of knowing where everything was and never missing a deadline. Remember appearances can be deceiving.

Psychologists looking into this in more depth have found the same inconsistent outcome as I did. The results also question the fact that organisations insist on a clean-desk policy as a way to push for a conscientious, organised and compliant workforce. In an experiment carried out by researchers at the University of Minnesota, for example, groups of college-age students were randomly assigned to spend time in adjacent office spaces, one of which was neat, the other wildly cluttered with papers. The students spent their time filling out questionnaires unrelated to the study. After some time, they were told they could leave and were offered an apple or a chocolate bar as they exited. Those students who sat in the orderly office were twice as likely to choose the apple than those who sat amid the mess.

The results showed that neatness and managing your workspace have a positive effect on behaviours linked to self-control. These habits are essential in an office environment where self-management is constantly challenged by difficult our unruly colleagues, unrealistic bosses and never-ending deadlines. We often say things in our head but have to control ourselves and bite our tongues to not say them out loud. It seems like keeping an organised desk also helps us keep our mouth shut.

On the other hand, researchers also found that working in disorder and clutter has its advantages. In this study, different college students were placed in a messy or a neat office and asked to dream up new uses for table tennis balls. Those in messy spaces generated ideas that were significantly more creative, than those working away in the neat, tidy and clinically finished offices. So a bit of mess is certainly good for new ideas and innovation. You only have to look at the mess of paper, pens and post-it notes left in meeting rooms after brainstorming sessions in most companies to know this is true.

So how do you tackle your sloppy co-worker? The first thing is to realise that people are very different and that different desk styles, just like different workstyles are natural and have their benefits and drawbacks. You can encourage this person to tidy up a little and get organised by getting rid of the cups and plates, but you also need to appreciate that mess and a little disorder may be where they do their best work, and do you really want to be the one who stifles that? On the other hand, this person may be keeping the clutter out of laziness. Only you can decide based on knowing their character where the right balance lies.

Also, if you feel their desk space is distracting for you, that could be a good enough reason for raising it with them. People may feel comfortable in their own chaos, yet if they become aware it affects others negatively, they may be more likely to do something about it. Some people only tidy their garden, if the neighbours complain. Remember, work has a huge social element to it and this personal exposure could spark a catalyst for change.

Doctor’s Prescription:

Tidiness clearly has its benefits, yet it appears so does a little clutter. Only you can decide if your intervention will benefit you, the person and others. Many of us change and implement more productive habits not because of our own motivation but because of the judgements and perceptions of others. No one wants to be seen as the office slob, but at the same time none of us wants to stifle a creative process.

Alex Davda is a business psychologist and client director at Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School, and is based in the Middle East. Email him at [e-mail] for advice on any work issues.

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