Broken Windows Theory and the rule of 1+½

Remember the last time you grabbed a cup of coffee at the office or in your co-work? Maybe you noticed a splash of coffee or a splatter of milk on the countertop . Or maybe the machine had grown an extra crust from folks spilling coffee and running to their meetings. So, what did you do?

1. Maybe you took extra care, making sure your coffee landed in the cup but ignored the surrounding mess.
2. Or maybe you allowed the machine to do its thing while talking to your colleague about the weekend. Someone will clean it later anyway!
3. You cleaned up first, and tended to your caffeine needs after.

Let’s think about how the mess started. It was that one drop of coffee from that one colleague, first thing in the morning. That initial act of neglect is the starting point for the disorder that unfolds throughout the day. Criminologists apply this concept of rolling disorder to larger community spaces with the “Broken Windows Theory”.

According to this theory, visible signs of disorder like broken windows and abandoned buildings can contribute to further disorder and an upsurge in crime in that neighbourhood. Although this side of the theory is outdated and has been debunked from a criminology perspective, there is still evidence to suggest that

1. Disorder leads to more disorder
2. Disorder has a negative impact on our mental health

Wiping down the coffee machine or cleaning the dirty knife left in the sink takes you 5–10 seconds. Although it’s not an established theory per se, this concept is “one plus one half”. It’s about going beyond your responsibility and doing just a bit more to reintroduce a pleasant communal environment. By breaking the cycle of mounting untidiness, dozens of colleagues will reap mental rewards. Let’s drive into some of the proven psychological benefits behind maintaining a clean environment.

• You’ll reduce stress and anxiety and improve people’s mood. Research tells us that people who work in a clean and organised environment are more likely to feel energised and motivated.
• You’ll promote productivity. A disorganised environment is distracting and makes it more difficult to focus on tasks. Who knew that washing an abandoned knife could help someone better meet their OKRs?
• You’ll help to boost their self-esteem! We feel more in control and capable of managing our lives in a clean environment.

The principle extends beyond the office to all of our day to day shared spaces, so next time you’re in the park, pick up the sad looking piece of litter. It’ll make a big impact on those around you without changing the course of your day.