26: Twelve Angry Coworkers

Remember when Caitie and Max first debated workspaces, and the power our environment has influence our productivity, work culture, and happiness? Yeah, we don’t, either, because—as it happens—that episode was recorded but never released. But today, they revisit the topic with renewed vigor. Caitie sympathizes with worker bees who just want to put a little personality into their space. Max loves a tidy desk, but more than anything he’s just really, really angry about open plan offices. Unfortunately for the millions who work in them, he’s not alone. The research on multitasking, interruptions, and cubicle farms is fairly damning. But if you need a break from the hubbub, feel free to mosey on down to his private office to shoot the breeze about workspaces. Just be sure to knock first.

Remember when Caitie and Max first debated workspaces, and the power our environment has to influence our productivity, work culture, and happiness? Yeah, we don’t, either, because—as it happens—that episode was recorded but never released.

But today, they revisit the topic with renewed vigor. Caitie sympathizes with worker bees who just want to put a little personality into their space. Max loves a tidy desk, but more than anything he’s just really, really angry about open plan offices.

Unfortunately for the millions who work in them, he’s not alone. The research on multitasking, interruptions, and cubicle farms is fairly damning. But if you need a break from the hubbub, feel free to mosey on down to his private office to shoot the breeze about workspaces. Just be sure to knock first.

Links: 

To Kill a Mockingbird | Wikipedia

Harper Lee | Wikipedia

Priority Episode No. 24: "As 'Wearing a Suit' As Possible" | Podcast Episode

Correction - Timothy Burke's Original Tweet | Twitter

Water Lilies | Wikipedia

Staples Inc. | Wikipedia

Open Plan | Wikipedia

Promised Land | Wikipedia

"Re: New WIRED Offices" by Scott Dadich | The Awl

Quiet: The Power of Introversts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain | Amazon

"Google Got It Wrong. The Open-Office Trend Is Destroying the Workplace." by Lindsey Kaufman | The Washington Post

Headphones | Beats By Dre

Wookiee | Wookieepedia, The Star Wars Wiki

12 Angry Men (1957 Film) | Wikipedia

"Student Think They Can Multitask. Here's Proof They Can't." by Maryellen Weimer, Ph.D. | Faculty Focus

"Multitasking: Switching Costs" | The American Psychological Association

"Divided Attention" by David Glenn | The Chronicle of Higher Education
[The professor who banned note-taking was miss-identified in the podcast as Clifford Nass; Nass is quoted in this article, but David E. Meyer is actually the proponent of the multitasking-free classroom.]
 
Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age by Tom Peters | Amazon

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen | Amazon

"Review: Peripheral Visions for Writing Centers" by Jeremy Smyczek | Praxis: A Writing Center Journal

Arnold Palmer (drink) | Wikipedia