Who Moved my Stapler?

By Theresa Mabry
Encompass Director of Operations

It was 8:03 AM when the mild-mannered accountant named Greg walked into the office, ready to start his day. But something was off—his favorite stapler was gone. Not missing. Moved. Just a few inches to the left on his desk. What seemed like a harmless gesture to one coworker sent Greg into a minor tailspin. “Why can’t people respect my space?” he muttered as he rearranged his desk for the third time. 
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We've all been there—those little moments in the workplace that spark confusion, frustration, or even conflict. But more often than not, the root of the issue isn’t the stapler or the coffee pot or even the group chat that won’t stop buzzing. It’s a misunderstanding of personalities—our own and others’. ​

Why Personality Awareness Matters at Work 

Every workplace is a mix of personalities, stress levels, and communication styles. And just like Greg, we all have our triggers. But when we take time to understand how we're wired—and how others might be wired differently—we start to build stronger, more respectful relationships. This is the heart of workplace relational health. 

At Encompass Connection Center, our Work Smart, Live Well program helps teams unlock this awareness using tools like the DISC personality assessment, a simple yet powerful framework that highlights four distinct personality types: 
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• D – Dominant: Task-focused, direct, and decisive. These folks like results and may come off as blunt when under pressure. 

• I – Influential: People-focused, optimistic, and enthusiastic. They bring energy but may overlook details. 

• S – Steady: Loyal, patient, and consistent. They thrive on routine and dislike sudden change or conflict. 

• C – Conscientious: Analytical, detail-oriented, and systematic. They value accuracy and may become overly critical when stressed. 

Understanding your DISC style helps you work with your strengths—and helps you value those who are wired differently. It also gives insight into how you show up under stress. 

Managing stress is essential for keeping our personalities in their healthiest expression. If you or your team are running on fumes, even the best traits can take a turn. 
Here are a few practical tips for managing stress and strengthening workplace relationships: 

• Know your triggers. What situations cause you to lose patience or shut down? Recognizing these helps you prepare rather than react. 

• Assume good intent. Just because someone communicates differently doesn’t mean they’re being difficult. 

• Use curiosity, not criticism. Ask “Can you tell me more about why you approached it that way?” instead of “Why would you do it like that?” 

• Take breaks strategically. Step away when needed to reset. A brief walk or a deep breath can make all the difference. 

• Celebrate complementary strengths. That detail-oriented colleague may drive you nuts—but they just saved you from missing a key error. 

Putting It into Practice 

One of the most effective ways to begin building this culture of awareness is by participating in programs like Work Smart, Live Well. In this interactive workshop, teams explore their DISC styles, learn stress management tools, and discover ways to appreciate and work with each other more effectively. 

Whether you’re in leadership or part of a team, understanding personality dynamics isn’t just helpful--it’s transformational. 

Back to Greg… 

Later that morning, Greg discovered that his coworker, Alicia (an “I” type brimming with enthusiasm), had borrowed the stapler to pin up a birthday flyer. She meant no harm—just wanted to make the office more fun. Greg chuckled to himself, “Maybe I am a little intense about my desk.” 
And just like that, a moment of potential frustration became an opportunity for understanding. 
Let’s face it—there will always be moved staplers and misunderstood emails. But when we work smart and live well, we become better at navigating them together. 

Ready to bring Work Smart, Live Well to your workplace? 
Contact us at Encompass Connection Center to learn how your team can thrive through relational health!

Free workplace assessment!