Mindset is everything. When you’re office ain’t right your business ain’t right. Have you ever walked into your office and though
t
“where to I start”
“How do I start”
“Should I start”
Well if that’s happened to you you’re not alone. Having an organized messy office creates a messy work environment and that in turn creates messy work.
Something a simple as rearranging your office furniture can communicate a better message about your strengths. Your office space is a statement about you and your brand so it pays off in impressions by arranging your office space to portray the right visuals.
Also, your furniture arrangement can improve collaboration and agreements. Consider where a member of your team or client sits when discussing a project with you. Is the chair directly across from yours? Does the person sit a bit lower than you and have to look up when speaking directly to you? This positioning places them at a disadvantage and elicits a more competitive than collaborative spirit.
Try placing the guest chair to the side of your desk instead of across the space from you. If space allows, create a conversation area away from your main desk. A smaller circular table with 2-3 chairs placed around it is more conducive to collaboration. King Arthur had the right idea using a round table for strategy sessions with his Knights of the Round Table.
Action Step
How does your office space look? Is it cluttered and disorganized? It’s time to clear the desk and evaluate your office setting.
Linda, you make some great points. I recommend people design their offices so that they contain what is needed, are clean-clear-classy, and look appealing (whatever that means to the person whose office it is). People will get more done, and as you say, have better relationships. Thanks for a great post!
Well, I only have a home office, but the clutter thing is a real challenge. I’ve been working on de-cluttering, though, and have already filled a small box with old catalogs and other outdated materials, plus an entire trash bag with assorted papers and other disposable stuff that had accumulated.