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Life at Work |
Kick ‘Personal’ to the Curb
Take a count: How many pictures of your kids; paper weights representing various vacation spots and stress-relieving squeeze balls are visible in your work area? If it’s approaching a half-dozen, your professionalism may be in question, according to new research from the University of Michigan Business School.
The researchers interviewed 95 managers to help determine just how much personal clutter on one’s desk was too much, as reported in Workforce Management.
“They even came up with a benchmark: No more than one in five items should be of a personal nature. Any more than that and managers’ perceptions of your work habits may become unfavorable.”
Forbes magazine also reported on the importance of keeping your workspace professional and the ways in which to achieve it:
• Leave your extracurricular interests at home.
• Add only little flourishes (i.e. matching supplies, as in pens and a pen holder and stapler).
• Don’t post paraphernalia on touchy topics such as religion or politics.
• Keep your workspace clean and organized.
• Show a dedicated focus in what you do by surrounding yourself with office inspiration.
• Brighten up your desk with more light.
“To burnish your professional image, consider posting news clippings about industry trends,” the Forbes article states. “A magazine cover featuring your company can be artfully displayed in an off-the-shelf frame from OfficeMax, Office Depot or Staples. Equally appropriate are photos of staff get-togethers, awards ceremonies or other special work-related events.”
Take this week’s e-poll and let us know how many personal doo-dads are in your work area.
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