There’s an article in the Wall Street Journal today about the former CEO of Olympus Corp., Michael C. Woodford, and how he was a big neat freak when it came to his employees.

When he was at Olympus, according to the story, “Woodford laid down the law about what personal items employees could keep on their desks—nothing but photos of family members and pets, as well as children’s drawings.”

This got me thinking of a guy I worked with at a newspaper in Florida who’s desk was considered a fire hazard. It was piled high with folders, paper, food, and lots of missing items from around the office, like the tape recorder I lent him which he was unable to find.

Despite all this, he was one of the best reporters in the newsroom, thorough and always on top of his beat. What if someone like Woodford decided to make him organize his space? Turns out, it wouldn’t be a good thing. (more…)