Interruptions at work are seldom portrayed in a positive way, with the widely reported heuristic suggesting it takes around 25 minutes to regain our focus after each interruption. This was a common thread of comments against open-plan offices, where interruptions were commonplace.

Research from the University of Illinois portrayed interruptions in a slightly more positive light, as when we’re interrupted, we also get to interact with the person doing the interrupting, which helps us to develop crucial social ties.

Creative boost

Research from the Hamburg University of Technology suggests that they might also provide our creativity with a boost. Not all interruptions are equal, and they can be broadly classified based on two key characteristics: the presence or absence of idle time, and whether they are unexpected or anticipated. Consequently, three distinct categories of extended interruptions can be delineated:

Firstly, surprises are unexpected interruptions that afford individuals idle time, allowing their thoughts to wander. Such surprises may manifest as disruptions in the supply chain, resulting in temporary production halts, or power outages necessitating a pause until electricity is restored. Another example could be a critical software system malfunctioning, thereby impeding employees from fulfilling their daily tasks.

Secondly, intrusions are unexpected interruptions that lack idle time. These interruptions typically demand immediate attention, diverting employees’ focus away from their original tasks. Intrusions have the potential to impede creativity, as employees are required to address urgent client requests, where a high-priority client suddenly necessitates immediate assistance to resolve an issue with their order or service. In such cases, employees must momentarily halt their ongoing tasks to promptly attend to the client’s concerns. Another instance is an emergency meeting convened in response to a sudden crisis.

Lastly, planned breaks encompass interruptions that are both expected and accompanied by idle time. These interruptions are purposefully scheduled, enabling employees to momentarily disengage from their work and concentrate on personal activities or goals. Planned breaks play a crucial role in fostering employee well-being and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Examples of planned breaks include vacations, public holidays, or company-wide breaks.

The impact of interruptions

To understand the impact of these interruptions on creativity, it is imperative to examine their effects on employee performance. Through such analysis, we can identify which interruptions have the potential to enhance innovation and determine the most effective strategies for managing them within organizations.

The research utilized natural experiments, leveraging events such as supply-chain shortages, extreme weather occurrences, and school breaks to investigate how different interruption types influence creative performance.

The findings reveal that surprises accompanied by idle time can significantly enhance employees’ creative performance, specifically measured by the quantity and quality of ideas generated to enhance their company’s products and services. Individuals exposed to such interruptions produced an impressive 58% more ideas compared to their uninterrupted counterparts during the three weeks following the disruption. This increase in creativity can be attributed to sustained contemplation of work and the maintenance of work-related objectives during the interruption, facilitating the incubation of ideas.

In contrast, intrusions have a detrimental effect on creativity. When employees are compelled to divert their attention to an incoming task, the residue of attention from the interrupted task diminishes, leading to a decline in creative performance.

Planned breaks

Regarding planned breaks, such as vacations or school holidays, the study found that they do not positively impact creative performance. During these anticipated interruptions, employees tend to disengage from work and focus on non-work-related objectives, which reduces attention residue and hampers idea incubation. Nonetheless, it is crucial to note that breaks remain crucial for employee well-being and rejuvenation.

The question arises: why do certain interruptions foster creative performance while others do not? One possible explanation lies in attention residue theory, which posits that some level of attention remains on an interrupted task even after shifting focus elsewhere. This residual attention can aid in the incubation of ideas and promote creative thinking. In the case of extended interruptions, the amount of attention residue is contingent upon whether the interruption allows for idle time and whether it is expected or unexpected.

During surprises, employees have idle time to contemplate their work and keep their work-related objectives active, leading to higher attention residue and increased creative performance. Conversely, during intrusions, attention residue is reduced as employees must concentrate on the immediate task at hand. Similarly, during planned breaks, attention residue diminishes as employees disengage from work and concentrate on non-work-related objectives.

Tapping into interruptions

Organizations can harness creativity by following a set of practical guidelines:

• Surprises: When unforeseen events create idle time, organizations can foster creativity by encouraging employees to reflect on their work and generate fresh ideas. Management can facilitate this process by providing tools and resources that promote contemplation, such as access to idea submission systems, post-interruption brainstorming sessions, or designated quiet spaces.
• Intrusions: To optimize creative output during unexpected interruptions, it is crucial for management to establish clear priorities and minimize distractions. Equipping employees with “ready-to-resume plans” that outline where they left off enables a smooth transition back to their original tasks. Additionally, supporting re-engagement with the original work can be achieved by encouraging individuals to reflect on their strategies for resuming the task or fostering collaboration and communication among colleagues.
• Planned breaks: Organizations should actively encourage employees to disconnect from work during scheduled breaks, such as vacations, in order to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Upon returning from a break, creating platforms for employees to share their experiences, insights, or inspirations can spark new ideas and cultivate a creative mindset.

Extended interruptions are an inevitable aspect of the work environment. However, by comprehending their impact on creativity and implementing effective strategies to leverage their potential, organizations can transform these disruptions into valuable opportunities. Embracing surprises, managing attention during intrusions, and promoting deliberate disconnection during planned breaks empower organizations to unlock the creative potential of their workforce, fostering a more innovative work environment.