Most people will neglect their desk at some point in their working life, but, according to psychological research commissioned by online printing company instantprint, the state of your desk can reveal more than you think.
With more people encouraged to self-isolate and work from home, what does your new workspace say about you? Well-known psychologist, and TV and radio personality, Donna Dawson has spent her career explaining how our choices and behaviours can define certain personality types.
After turning her attention to the modern-day desk, expert Donna has identified five key desk types (and their inhabitants).
THE FIVE KEY DESK TYPES
- The Minimalist
- The Chaotic
- The Homely
- The Tech Lover
- The Trophy
There is a widespread belief that a tidy desk reveals a tidy mind, and the ‘Minimalist’ desk could be an example of this, presenting a person who is highly organised, efficient and self-disciplined.
However, Donna challenges the positive judgement in her recent analysis: “This type can also be secretive and lack imagination, and their tidiness can take on an OCD quality. Yet in terms of others opinions, those who like things done in an orderly, timely and self-contained fashion would cherish this personality type.”
Unsurprisingly, the ‘Chaotic’ desk is likely to be piled high with paperwork in a seemingly random order. It could reveal someone who is disorganised and poor at time management, a person who can’t say ‘no,’ or who is afraid to delegate. However, don’t rush to empty your desk too quickly, as Donna claims that all is not what it seems with this snap judgement.
“This desk could also reveal a creative person bursting with new ideas and working on more than one project at once, who knows exactly where everything is. How others will view a person with this desk will depend on the nature of the industry; most creative types have chaotic desks.”
The ‘Homely desk refers to one which contains personal mementos such as photographs, personalised items, or anything from emergency snacks and medicine. Donna believes this desk type reveals someone who makes others feel valued and at ease.
“Likely to be caring, sociable, compassionate and unselfish, this is a person that others turn to with a problem, or to share gossip with over a cup of tea. According to Donna, those who value individuals with people skills would think highly of this desk type.”
The ‘Tech-Lover” desk reveals a person with a fast, analytical mind, who is up to date with technology. They are advertising their apparently sharp intellect through all their gadgets, and they are insinuating that they are a ‘go to’ person for any technical problems. For this reason, this person may be viewed as indispensable.
Where does this place the office show-off? Donna says: “The ‘Trophy’ desk, which contains souvenirs of past work campaigns as well as any cups, medals or certificates of personal achievement, is an obvious statement of naked ambition: ‘Look at me, I’m an achiever’. This desk type is thick-skinned and tunnel-visioned, willing to do most anything to get ahead. In any competitive industry, this person will be valued.”
Jon Constantine-Smith, head of instantprint, said: “At instantprint, teamwork is an essential part of how we work to create the best experience for our customers. To deliver that experience, we strive to nourish each member of staff, no matter their personality traits or previous experience.
“Discovering how behaviours and choices can hint towards certain characteristics only helps us to achieve this goal.”
To read the full study, please visit: https://www.instantprint.co.uk/printspiration/be-inspired/desk-personality-types