Do you prefer order on your desk or instead carelessly amass folders and documents in disorganised piles? According to research by scientists at the University of Minnesota, how you arrange your desk says much about you. If you compulsively pile up all the documents that reach you, do not despair: you probably have a very creative and original personality. At least, this is according to the Management Issues website, which has published the research findings.
The investigation was conducted in several stages. Initially, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire in their own office setting. While some did so in an organised office, others filled it in in a slightly chaotic and disorganised working environment. Next, the possibility of a charity donation was presented to both groups and, finally, they were offered refreshment in the form of an apple or chocolate.
Who preferred the healthier apple and donated more money to charity? Of course, the orderly or, let us say, more responsible people. The research showed that those people who completed the questionnaire in a clean and tidy office were evidently much more encouraged to do what is expected of them.
The research was based on a study indicating that tidy people tend more towards good things such as generosity, honesty, healthy eating and not committing crimes. At the same time, the findings indicate that disorder is also useful and generates something that the company wants more - creativity, as was demonstrated in the next phase of research.
Participants were given the task of finding a new use for a set of ping-pong balls. Both groups generated an equal number of ideas but in terms of the value of their suggestions, the well-organised respondents were average, while respondents preferring chaos came up with more original ideas.
To confirm the conclusions, two products, a new one and an established one, were offered to both groups. Results showed that the chaotic creative group chose the new product, but tidy people preferred the established one. This indicates that a disparate environment stimulates a release from conventionality and tradition towards innovation and new challenges.
It seems that even small things such as organising one's own desk represent a huge difference among us, employed people. However, according to the authors of the research, we do not necessarily find these differences only in the office. Just look on websites or personal blogs and, based on their organisation, you can predict certain behaviour patterns: while tidy people prefer a certain tradition and security, chaotic people are for change, and a disorderly environment is likely to inspire new ideas.
So how tidy is your desk?
- bn-