Tear Them Down & Build Them Bigger

My office area at work is currently being remodeled. The powers that be decided to convert our offices into an open concept style workspace. Currently the layout of our office has separate offices with doors and walls and the like. Once the remodeling is done there will be no more walls, doors or more importantly, the opportunity to surf the internet or talk on the phone for hours on end in privacy. To be frank, I think this sucks and not just for the obvious reasons. See, I've just never understood the appeal of the collaborative work environment. If I need something from someone I can yell across the hall at them to get it and conversely, if they need something from me I can avoid them by shutting my door and turning the ringer on my phone off. It's a system that has served me quite well thus far and I just don't see the reason to mess with success.

When my boss was explaining to us the rationale behind the decision that would change all of our lives forever, he explained that it would hopefully lead to more open communication, less duplication of efforts and prevent people from working in silos. After his impassioned plea, I thought to myself "That's the best you've got? Open communication, less duplication and silo reduction?" Please what' so great about open communication? You want open communication? How about this for open communication: "Hey boss, you're the world's worst micro-manager and I mark the days on my calendar until your retirement. Oh and Susie those pants make you look fat." And while we're at it, "Bob is it possible for you to bring a lunch to work sometime that doesn't smell like a rotten carcass? And if you insist on eating rotten carcass for lunch could you not leave it in the refrigerator for three months until it decomposes?" Well, I guess I see the appeal of open communication now.

However, I'm still not sure about the downside of a little duplication of efforts in the workplace. Just because me and the guy next door are working on the same thing because we don't talk to each other isn't such a bad thing is it? It's pretty much a sure bet that one of us will get it done right? Chances are it will be me since the guy next door is pretty busy eating rotten carcass. Either way though, it gets done and there aren't a lot of sure things in life so I don't think that's anything to scoff at.

What I really took issue with though was this talk about silo reduction. I for one am sick and tired of people talking smack about the silo. I'd like you to try telling your farmer friend that he shouldn't be working in or around a silo. I can pretty much guaran-gosh darn-tee you that they might have a few choice words for you. Near as I can tell, silos serve a pretty important purpose not only to farmers but also to silo manufacturers so I just think people should learn a little bit more about our friend the silo before suggesting they should be abandoned completely.

Last but not least, I want to talk about walls. A lot of people seem to have a real fixation on tearing down walls. I guess I'm just of a different school of thought on this issue. Personally, I've always been a big fan of walls, both literally and figuratively. Sure, walls can keep people out but is that so bad? What's so wrong with having a little bit of personal space and some discretion over who can invade it? I certainly don't enjoy smelling dead carcass all day long. I guess I'm not really talking about the walls in my office anymore.