[alexcason]

Motivational posters

[HelloNurse]

Some people (their companies aren't likely to be a pleasant place) like motivational posters from the beginning and even if the business goes well. Therefore I'd qualify the symptom: motivational posters are a bad sign as part of an attempt to renew management style and inject new energy, which is itself an indication of helpless desperation.

[hoodoof]

I would find it hard to stomach working surrounded by motivational posters.

[DoofusOfDeath]

It sounds like somebody has a case of the Mondays!

[Mz]

I upvoted you, but I would say Dilbert Calendars and the like are a better indicator.

[seanmcdirmid]

Dilbert calendars are healthily cynical, not elements of denial like non sarcastic motivational posters.

[Bahamut]

I don't know if I'd agree with that - I haven't worked at a company that uses them, but I have seen them all over Facebook, and they don't look like they're failing anytime soon so far.

[sp527]

Those posters aren't for motivation. They're propaganda. You don't see the Soviet inspiration in bold type on a reddish background?

EDIT: Lol this clearly made some people mad.