David Brooks once said, “A person who is interrupted while performing a task takes 50% more time to complete it and makes 50% more errors.” It’s not just a clever quote. It’s a sharp truth about how the brain works.
Every interruption breaks focus. It may seem like a small thing—a quick question, a status check, a “got a minute?” But each time you pull someone out of deep work, they lose momentum. They have to find their way back into the task. That switch is costly. It drains mental energy. It leads to more mistakes. And it doubles the time needed.
If you manage people, this matters. The best thing you can do is set the goal, provide the tools, and get out of the way. Let them dive deep. Let them stay in flow. Let them work heads down, without being yanked out every hour.
Check in when needed. Be available for help. But don’t hover. Don’t micromanage. Don’t mistake noise for progress.
The same advice applies if you work alone. Protect your own focus. Turn off notifications. Batch your meetings. Give yourself space to go deep.
We live in a world full of distractions. But great work still needs quiet, focus, and time. Trust people. Let them build. Let them solve problems without being constantly poked. You’ll get better output. And you’ll build a culture of respect.
Set the goal. Give support. Then step back. That’s how real work gets done.
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