Your office may look

In his article Got The Right Stuff? Scott Reeves noted, ”[a]sk several people what the junk in Joe’s office says about good old Joe and you’re likely to get several different answers. So, think of office decor as the first take on a person whose personality will unfold over time as the working relationship develops.”

An associate at a local firm recently started a new job and brought her office decor to work in two suitcases. She spent an hour arranging artwork, photos, a clock, lamps, etc. At first the other attorneys in her office questioned her decor. How could she break from the sterile mahogany bliss? A week later she noticed the other attorneys on her floor decorating their offices. She explained that this was not the first work place where this phenomenon unfolded.

Are attorneys afraid to express themselves at work? Does our profession discourage even the slightest demonstration of a personal life or outside interest for fear that it may be perceived as unprofessional and/or a distraction from what we are able to accomplish at work?