Cubicles versus offices

I have worked in many environments. I have worked for state and federal governments. I have worked for small, medium and large companies, and I have worked in academia. (I know, I know, it sounds like I can't hold a job.) I have worked at desks in large open offices, at cubicles (in what seemed like rat mazes), and in small offices that were either mine or shared with one or two other coworkers.

My experience has been that your perception of the space you work in has less to do with the amount of space and location than with your ambition. We are trained (indoctrinated) to believe that the bigger the space, the more isolated, the better the view, the better we are.

Most managers use their offices as weapons or defensive positions.  Almost every manager I have ever had has touted their open door policy. Every manager touting an open door policy was full of s**t.  The door is only open when it suits them. Usually, when the door is open, they're not there. Most managers use their offices as aplace to deposit papers and other paraphernalia while they attend an endless string of meetings.  They know that if the door is closed, the people under them will only knock (or more likely make a phone call or email) if there is a dire emergency.  Also, every worker knows that if you go into a manager's office, and they close the door, you are in trouble.

Most of the people I have known who work in cubicles were far more adaptable and productive than anyone in an office. Work in cubicles requires adaptable people who know how to get along with coworkers and work in teams to accomplish necessary tasks. People who thrive in cubicles can deal with the noise and other distractions.  Chances are these people are also parents and have learned to adapt to similar conditions at home. My expereince has also been that the best cubicl workers are those with the least ambition for management positions. Manager wannabes are too focused on themselves and their ambition to thrive in a cubicle environment.  These are the people who complain the most and loudest about cubicles. These are also the people who will complain about the size of their offices and the furniture and equipment in them until the day they reach that corner office on the top floor.