Why the Best Ideas Aren’t Always Scheduled

Why the Best Ideas Aren’t Always Scheduled

Now that 2026 is here, it feels like the right time to reflect on what remote working really gives us, and what it quietly takes away.

Working remotely gives us space: space to think, focus, and get things done.
That’s a big win. But let’s be honest, not every great idea comes from a scheduled meeting.

Some of the best ones happen in passing: by the coffee machine, at a whiteboard, or in a casual “Did you hear about…?” Those moments can change everything.

Research also backs this up. A recent study in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication found that most workplace interactions are:

• Spontaneous and unstructured
• Vital for performance, wellbeing, and collaboration

Remote work makes those harder to achieve.

Yes, working from home can feel productive, even peaceful.
There are many benefits to both staff and employers, not to mention the savings in travel time and costs.

But collaboration often needs proximity, a shared energy, a glance, or even a laugh.

In my advisory work, I’ve seen how a single in-person conversation can unlock clarity that weeks of remote back-and-forth couldn’t. When leadership teams face critical decisions, timing and context make all the difference.

This isn’t about taking sides in the productivity debate. It’s about knowing when to step back for clarity, and when to reconnect for momentum.

How do you recreate those ‘coffee machine’ moments in a remote world?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.