Everyone must devote a couple of hours a week to managing the information storm. In 1974, people could get away without the rule, but in 1994, I don't believe an individual can be efficient with paperwork and effective with clients without the organizing rule. If one can delegate some of the work to somebody, fine. In general, the beforehand-manager must consider it part of his or her job, if not life. To know whether someone is organized doesn't take a psychic.
Most people can tell by looking at someone's desk.
It's impossible to be organized with horizontal piles on a desk. Information is not meant to be stacked, because no one can effectively deal with papers that are covered or scattered. People can use information if it's in a filing cabinet with labeled tabs pointing upward. In the same way, one can use stacking trays and folders, provided that the tabs are in clear view. That would change my routine.