Is Thinking a part of your job?

I read an interesting article recently about how John D Rockefeller defined his role, and about how different the typical “worker-job” is today compared to what it was in his time. (Lazy Work; Good Work)

Rockefeller was one of the most successful American businessmen of all time. Yet he was strangely quiet and reclusive, spending most of his time alone with his thoughts. He realized the success of his company did not rely on his ability to load the trains, keep the books, or organize a factory. His job - product, deliverable, responsibility - was to figure things out inside his head, and then direct his staff accordingly.

This was unusual in his time. Most people spent their days working with their hands (and their backs); the quality and quantity of their work was easily measurable by the pile of “stuff” they had produced.

Today, many people have jobs where figuring things out (solutioning) is an important part of their job description. Yet they are often managed based on their “piles of stuff.” Spending business-day time away from their desk - just walking, or lost in thought - is generally considered non-productive time.

This seems to be at odds with the process of deep thinking.

Many famous thinkers, including Einstein, Rockefeller, Mozart, Gates - have remarked about how elusive answers have come to them in moments of solitude, in nature, or even in the shower. The common thread is that deep thought, creative sparks, and problem solving the challenge of the time - are difficult to do on a schedule, while sitting at your desk.

I have seen this process in play, personally, many times over the years. I’ve struggled with the facts and constraints and desires for a certain outcome, but couldn’t come up with an actionable plan. Then the solution simply reveals itself - so easily and so obviously - when my mind is elsewhere. (commuting in the car, on vacation, at my son’s soccer practice, meditating in bed - to name a few.)

This concept begs the question of whether we are allowing ourselves enough ‘thinking time’ to find the best solution. Obviously we can’t all spend a day walking around in the woods (and charging it to the Underhills), but there might be a more naturally effective way than trying to jam out a solution in the thirty minutes between two meetings.

I don’t think we need to start demanding daily/weekly thinking retreats. But I do want to remember that, sometimes, “let it percolate” might be the most effective option…

- Chris Butterworth