Scenario 10
The New Desk Arrangement
READ
A small office was changing its desk arrangement. Carla worked beside a window and often used that space to examine printed color samples. Devin sat near the hallway, where people regularly stopped to ask questions. He found the interruptions distracting and wanted to move.
Their supervisor asked the team to suggest a new arrangement before Monday. Devin proposed switching desks with Carla. He said the window seat would help him concentrate, while Carla was already comfortable speaking with people throughout the day. Carla replied that answering occasional questions was different from sitting beside the hallway all day.
A third coworker, Noor, needed to remain near the shared equipment because of her daily tasks. Moving a cabinet might create another desk space, but the cabinet contained supplies used by everyone. The team did not know whether it could be placed elsewhere.
Devin had already drawn a floor plan showing his name at the window. He placed it on the meeting table and described it as the simplest option. Carla noticed that her printing area had become shared storage in the drawing. The supervisor entered with a measuring tape and asked whether the team had agreed on anything. Noor was standing beside the cabinet with its doors open.
THINK AND RESPOND
What would you do?
If you could offer advice to one of the characters, who would it be and why?
