On the one hand, many of the smartest people need significant amounts of time alone to think through their work. On the other, so many decisions an individual in a team makes are constrained by the requirements of the rest of the team. To find these out, you need to coordinate with the team, and that's much easier when everyone is physically together.
In our startup, we deal with this tradeoff with two spatial configurations. We spend part of our time together in an open space where interruptions are common and expected. We spend the rest of our time miles apart, occasionally coordinating over email and IM whenever needed.
Perhaps one way to achieve this in larger teams is to block off large chunks of the week during which it is understood no one interrupts anyone else. Weekends already play this role for many people I know. They often work for a good chunk of the weekend, but are not expected to take calls or return emails. It's when they do some of their deepest thinking and best writing.
I'm sorry, but I have started putting my foot down with my work and saying that the weekend is mine. I have come to the conclusion that working hard 24/7 is starting to wear me out and is starting to make me resentful.
I'm available throughout the week, if you can't provide and environment for me where I can be productive because of for example an open floor plan then I am not going to spend my time for you.
I have been very fortunate though in that I have a very understanding boss that lets me work whatever hours I please (I generally get to the office by around 1000/1030 and leave at around 1800/1900) and that has helped my productivity quite a bit as well because I am sleeping on my own sleep schedule that works for me, and at the tail end of the day when I am most productive the office is empty and quiet and I can get my work done.
I'm assuming 'miles apart' is working from home or cafe?
I really like the idea of two spatial configurations. Personally, I work remote for a small company that is mostly local - I visit the office a couple times a year and love the personal time for face-to-face discussion, etc. If I could have that a couple times a week, or a hour a day, I would love it.
In our startup, we deal with this tradeoff with two spatial configurations. We spend part of our time together in an open space where interruptions are common and expected. We spend the rest of our time miles apart, occasionally coordinating over email and IM whenever needed.
Perhaps one way to achieve this in larger teams is to block off large chunks of the week during which it is understood no one interrupts anyone else. Weekends already play this role for many people I know. They often work for a good chunk of the weekend, but are not expected to take calls or return emails. It's when they do some of their deepest thinking and best writing.