Deep Questions with Cal Newport Ep. 379: The Flexibility Myth
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Nov 17, 2025 The conversation dives deep into why many women left the workforce post-pandemic, revealing that unpredictability, not just flexibility, played a crucial role. A 2017 study highlights that workers value predictable schedules significantly more than flexible options. Cal discusses the chaos modern technology brings to knowledge work, emphasizing constant interruptions and context switching. He also shares practical solutions to reclaim predictability at work, from the one-message rule to transparent task management. The episode wraps up with answers to listener questions about optimizing work routines.
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Predictability Beats Flexible Hours
- Workers strongly prefer predictability over vague flexibility and will forgo pay to avoid employer-controlled hours.
- That dislike explains why return-to-office mandates pushed many women out more than simple location preferences did.
Apply The One-Message Rule
- Enforce a one-message rule: if a topic needs more than one reply, move it to a synchronous conversation.
- Use email for single-answer info and avoid prolonged asynchronous volleys that fracture attention.
Batch Discussions With Docket Meetings
- Batch discussions into regular docket-clearing meetings where the team reviews queued issues together.
- Individuals should publish regular office hours for non-scheduled conversations to avoid constant inbox monitoring.
