Restful Teams Win: How Companies Thrive by Embracing Downtime

Why the Most Innovative Companies Make Rest a Priority

In the race to innovate, many companies push their teams to the brink. But as Alex Soojung-Kim Pang demonstrates in Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less, the real winners are those who make rest a core value. This blog explores how organizations—from tech giants to creative agencies—are rethinking work, offering flexible schedules, nap pods, and walking meetings to fuel both well-being and breakthrough ideas.

Studies show that when employees are trusted to manage their time and encouraged to take breaks, satisfaction and retention soar. Some of the world’s most innovative firms have built rest into their DNA, scheduling time for unstructured thinking and celebrating downtime as much as deadlines. Leaders play a crucial role, modeling healthy boundaries and showing that success is about quality, not just quantity.

Actionable strategies include supporting remote work, encouraging real vacations, and creating spaces for relaxation in the office. The result? More creative solutions, happier teams, and a culture where people—and ideas—can thrive.

Rest isn’t just a personal practice; it’s a business strategy. Companies that embrace downtime unlock the full potential of their people and lead the way to a more sustainable, innovative future.