Photo and story by Kenneth Perkins
Joseph DeLeon, president, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest
Unscientifically speaking, people who stand in meetings almost always get straight to the point. For Joseph DeLeon, meetings conducted by his desk are often cut in half. An hour-long meeting lasts 30 minutes. Thirty-minute meetings run about 15 minutes. That’s because DeLeon’s is a standing workstation; there tends to be a more formal feel to standing, he says. Less chitchat than, say, sitting and “relaxing.” Efficient is how he describes his standing deskwork life, and not just in meetings. He gets right down to business also. Here are some other things we found at his standing workstation.
Hand exercise squeeze ball: Helps ease tension. Can get in some reps while working.
Easy Button: Uses Staples’ iconic symbol for letting colleagues know they can always find solutions for seemingly frustrating situations. “It’s a fun motivator, actually.”
Notes by pen, not email: “I would much rather send personal notes.”
Wireless headset: Plantronics wireless headset with on-the-ear capabilities that can be used more than 300 feet from the desk, uh, workstation.
Computer monitors: This height-adjustable platform hooks onto a traditional desk and has stands for a keyboard and papers and attachments for at least two monitors.