Page 16 - Leadership Basics 8

 Thief 5: A Disorganized Office
Try the following questionnaire to make a discussion on whether your office is organised.
Items Yes No
1. Does it take you more than five minutes to locate something on your desk?  
2. Do you constantly have trouble finding a particular item on your desk?  

3. Do you have stacks of files sitting on your desk for long periods?  

4. Do you usually read and even keep all the junk mail that you receive?  

5. Do you ever go through the papers on your desk and find things you had  
forgotten?
6. Do you find it difficult to find that certain file in your filing cabinet when you need  
it?
7. Do you have to get up from your desk every time you need something for your  
work?

8. Do you have papers on your desk that have been there for over a week?
 

9. Do you feel everything would improve if you had a bigger desk/office?  

10. Do you just leave papers on your desk without indicating when they have to be  
dealt with?
If you have a organized office:

 Only have what you need on the desk.
 Have necessities within easy reach.

 Have a designated place for everything.
 Have a workable filing system.
 Discover what suits you.

 Thief 6: Too Much Paper Work, Too Much Emails
Many people spend too long doing paperwork or replying emails.

 Set aside time each day to deal with mail.
 Prioritize and categorize your ‘paper’.
 Do not write a reply unless it is necessary.

 Use the phone whenever you can.
 Handle each paper or email only once.

 Communicate verbally.
 When you must write, keep it simple and to the point.

12