Our brains need unstructured time. Just as our bodies need movement, rest, and sleep, our minds also need space to wander, reflect, connect ideas, and work through problems in the background.

In this final installment of our “Listening for the Signals” series, we explore the value of unstructured thinking time and mental white space. Drawing on research related to the Default Mode Network and Task Positive Network, this article considers why our best ideas often arrive when we are walking, showering, driving, or stepping away from the task at hand.

For individuals, leaders, and organizations, the challenge is in learning how to create the conditions for both focused execution and deeper strategic thinking.