In my talks on innovation and simplification, I pose a simple question to my audiences: “How many of you wish you had more time to think?” Without fail, every hand goes up. Next, I ask, “How many of you have to sneak in time to think, maybe by adding a fake meeting to your calendar?” Again, all hands shoot up, accompanied by laughter. Finally, I ask, “Why do you have to sneak in time to think? Why is it something you feel you have to hide?”
It’s time we admitted it: taking time to think at work has become a radical act. By pausing to reflect, we push against the status quo, challenge norms, and affirm that the work we do matters. This encapsulates the struggles many employees face: the pressure to stay busy creates a culture where being constantly reactive is the norm, leaving little room for thoughtful reflection or innovation. In a landscape where everyone seems so busy, taking time to think is not just a luxury—it can even be perceived as laziness.
The relentless barrage of distractions suffocates creativity and stifles innovation. We’re caught in a paradox: the more we do, the less we actually think. As a result, organizations risk stagnation and burnout and are desperately in need of a wake-up call. It’s time to challenge this culture of constant activity and reclaim the power of deep, meaningful thought before it’s too late.
As my friend, Rob Kowalski, CHRO of Novartis, said recently: “So often, we’re so busy ticking things off our “to do” lists and running from meeting to meeting, that we forget about the importance of slowing down to focus on deep thinking. The fear is we’ll be seen as less productive, when in fact carving out time to think allows us to refocus on the bigger picture, explore new ideas that spark innovation, and help us deliver on the things that really matter.”
The Peril of Perpetual Busyness
Statistics highlight the alarming effects of a lack of thinking time on today’s workforce:
- Distraction and Multitasking: A University of California, Irvine, study found workers interrupted every 3 to 5 minutes, reducing productivity. Microsoft research shows the average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to just 8 seconds due to these distractions.
- Overwork and Burnout: Gallup reports that 76% of employees experience burnout at least sometimes. Further, 77% feel overwhelmed and unable to think strategically in their roles.
- Lack of Time for Deep Work: Asana found that 58% of workers feel they lack sufficient time for their tasks because of constant distractions. A 2022 PwC Global Workforce survey indicated employees spend an average of only 12% of their workweek—about 2.5 hours—on deep thinking, a dramatic drop from nearly 30% in the early 1990s.
When employees lack time for deep thought, creativity and innovation suffer, leading to disengagement as employees feel overwhelmed and unable to contribute meaningfully.
The Unforgiving Impact of Neglect
The repercussions of neglecting thinking time can be severe. In 2014, United Airlines faced a crisis when a severe winter storm led to thousands of flight cancellations. Overwhelmed by chaos, the operational team made critical decisions without proper reflection. One such misstep involved allowing a flight to depart in adverse weather conditions, leading to extreme turbulence and panic onboard. This not only endangered lives but also damaged the airline’s reputation.
Similarly, Boeing’s 737 MAX crisis underscored the dangers of rushing processes without sufficient time for critical thinking. In their haste to compete with Airbus, engineers were pressured to skip essential safety reviews, resulting in two tragic crashes. Investigations revealed a lack of adequate time for thoughtful analysis, leading to catastrophic outcomes that cost the company billions and tarnished its reputation.
These examples illustrate that the absence of thoughtful decision-making can lead to immediate crises and long-term consequences. Organizations must prioritize allowing teams the necessary space to think strategically, especially during high-pressure situations.
It’s Time to Think
To combat the relentless culture of busyness, organizations must adopt bold strategies that challenge the status quo and encourage deep thinking. Leaders of the most forward-looking organizations are actively recognizing this as an imperative. In my recent fireside chat with Rob at Novartis’ headquarters, he said something that resonated:
“A while ago, I started blocking time on my own calendar. I call it ‘Meeting with Rob’, and it’s time for me to think and process things that I’m doing, without having to be constantly context switching. As leaders, it’s important that we role model this and send a signal to our team members that not only is it okay to block time to think, but it’s expected. It’s part of how we make each other extraordinary!”
Here are some provocative and innovative approaches to reclaim thinking time:
- The Think Tank Hour: Designate one hour each week as “Think Tank Hour,” where employees can step away from their desks and engage in collective brainstorming sessions. This is a sacred time for creative problem solving.
- Monthly Digital Detox Days: Implement a monthly Digital Detox Day where employees disconnect from emails and other digital distractions. Encourage them to spend this time outdoors or simply sitting in silence. The goal is to foster mental clarity and spark creative insights that can only arise in the absence of constant digital noise.
- “Unconference” Events: Host occasional “unconference” events where employees set the agenda. This self-directed approach allows participants to explore topics of interest without the constraints of traditional meeting formats.
- Set Intention Mondays: Launch the workweek with Intention Mondays, where employees dedicate the first hour to setting intentions for their week. This practice fosters a proactive mindset right from the start.
- Gamify Thinking Time: Introduce gamification elements to encourage deep thinking. Create challenges or competitions that reward teams for innovative ideas or solutions generated during designated thinking periods.
The need for thinking at work is urgent. By reclaiming this vital aspect of work, organizations can transform their culture, enhance creativity, and safeguard against the costly errors that arise from neglecting thoughtful reflection. It’s time to make thinking not just a daring act, but an essential practice in the workplace.