The Power of Breaks: Do You Make Time for Them?
Stefan Lindegaard
I help sharpen your leadership approach, build high-performance teams and enhance corporate innovation through new, original tools like Team Dynamics Cards and the Gap Map Overview.
Today's work often comes with non-stop meetings and endless to-do lists. However, both Microsoft's WorkLab study and a recent article based on research by Pia Hauge on Lederstof.dk point out the big benefits of taking breaks.
They show that pausing between tasks not only clears our minds but can also spark creativity and make teamwork better, especially in today's remote and hybrid work settings.
Reflect:
Why: Taking a moment to reflect helps in processing information from meetings, evaluating interactions, and planning the next steps.
Impact: Better decision-making, individual growth, and strategic alignment within teams and the organization are fostered through reflection, especially when remote or hybrid work models are in play.
Refresh Mind:
Why: Microsoft’s WorkLab highlights that breaks between meetings allow the brain to “reset,†crucial for alleviating mental fatigue and maintaining focus.
Impact: A refreshed mind enhances engagement, productivity, and overall work quality, benefiting both individual performance and collective team output.
Networking and Social Interaction:
Why: Casual chats during breaks provide a respite from structured meetings and work tasks, as echoed by Pia Hauge.
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Impact: These interactions foster a collaborative and inclusive work culture, improve morale, and facilitate cross-departmental cooperation.
Gain Inspiration:
Why: Stepping away from routine tasks can spur creativity and new perspectives.
Impact: This leads to innovative ideas and solutions, nurturing a culture of continuous learning and creativity within teams and across the organization.
Foster Innovation:
Why: Breaks, particularly those that allow the mind to wander, are the breeding ground for innovative thinking.
Impact: Improved problem-solving, new ideas, and a culture of innovation are crucial for staying competitive and adapting to evolving work landscapes.
Making time for breaks is not just good for us but also smart for our companies. Both Microsoft's WorkLab and Pia Hauge's insights suggest that moving away from the "always busy" mode to a more balanced work rhythm can lead to better productivity, more fresh ideas, and a happier work environment. So, taking breaks could be a simple step toward doing better work together.
See links to the research and articles in the comments.
Thanks Stefan. Your posts always spark reflection on how to reshape processes that we take for granted.
I help sharpen your leadership approach, build high-performance teams and enhance corporate innovation through new, original tools like Team Dynamics Cards and the Gap Map Overview.
1 å¹´Research Proves Your Brain Needs Breaks! WorkLab by Microsoft - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/brain-research
I help sharpen your leadership approach, build high-performance teams and enhance corporate innovation through new, original tools like Team Dynamics Cards and the Gap Map Overview.
1 å¹´I ?revis har vi glemt de reelle pauser p? kontoret. Men pauser b?r v?re lederens strategiske v?rkt?j. Great article, in Danish, with insights driven by Pia Hauge Bentsen here: https://www.lederstof.dk/i-aarevis-har-vi-glemt-de-reelle-pauser?