It’s long been considered that the maxim ‘a messy desk leads to a messy mind’ rings true – but not so if new research is to be believed. A study from the University of Groningen, Germany has found that your company’s clean desk policy may actually be stifling your creativity and efficiency at work. The study found that messy desks enabled people to be more adept at making decisions as they stimulate workers to simplify tasks in spite of their chaotic surroundings.

Many companies ask staff to keep desks clean and tidy and in particular to ensure they are left neat at the end of each work day so cleaners are able to get on with their jobs. However, it might be worth showing this to the boss to explain why, despite your less-than-picture-perfect desk you still maintain your brilliance. The researchers also noted that the effect was most pronounced in conservative thinkers.