Why Are Maker Schedules So Rare?

Cal Newport explores why maker schedules (requiring long, uninterrupted blocks for deep creative work) are rare in most organizations despite their necessity for productivity. The core problem is that managers typically work in 1-hour increments while makers need 'half a day at least' to do meaningful work, and meetings are 'a disaster' for makers. Organizations prioritize managerial convenience over maker efficiency because 'convenience will almost always win' and there are no barriers around disruptive behaviors. Newport recommends dual approaches: moderate (designate specific maker days like MWF with no meetings, hold emails until maker time is complete) and extreme (assign managers as communication gatekeepers to eliminate direct contact with makers). Engineering leaders will learn that protecting uninterrupted creative time through organizational structures is crucial for high-value work, yet most fail to implement these protective measures.