By Mirinda van der Merwe
In most organisations, the expectation is clear: Work harder, Move faster and Decide quickly.
And do it all from the same desk, in the same meeting rooms, surrounded by the same daily pressures.
But there’s a growing realisation among high-performing businesses: The environment where you work is not always the environment where you think best.
The Hidden Cost of Staying in the Same Space
Back-to-back meetings.
Constant notifications.
Operational demands that never slow down.
In this environment, decision-making becomes reactive rather than intentional. Teams solve what’s urgent — not always what’s important.
Over time, this creates:
- delayed strategic progress
- misalignment at leadership level
- decisions made under pressure rather than clarity
And while everything feels productive…very little meaningful thinking actually happens.
Forward-thinking companies are starting to challenge this pattern.
Instead of trying to “fit strategy into the workday,” they are creating dedicated space for it.
Not as a reward or a break but as a deliberate business decision.
Because when teams step away from their usual environment — even briefly — something shifts:
- conversations become more focused
- perspectives broaden
- problems are solved faster
- alignment happens naturally
What would typically take weeks of fragmented discussions can often be resolved in a single, uninterrupted session.
The ROI That Isn’t on a Spreadsheet
The return on this kind of time is not always immediately visible in financial reports — but it shows up everywhere else.
- Clearer direction at leadership level
- Faster execution across teams
- Stronger alignment and communication
- More confident, decisive leadership
In reality, the question is no longer: “Can we afford to take time away?”
But rather: “Can we afford not to?”
A change in environment does more than provide a different view.
It creates distance from noise. And in that distance, clarity emerges. When people are given space — physically and mentally — they engage differently.
They listen more, think deeper and contribute more meaningfully.
This is where real progress happens.
As businesses evolve, so too must the way leaders think, plan, and connect.
The most effective organisations are not those constantly in motion – but those that know when to pause, step back, and realign.
Because ultimately, success is not only driven by how much gets done, but by how well decisions are made.
Sometimes the most productive thing a team can do…is leave the office.
Not to disconnect from the business – but to reconnect with what truly drives it forward.
*Mirinda van der Merwe is a Namibian hospitality entrepreneur and co-owner of Droombos Estate in Windhoek and Simanya River Lodge in Kavango West. She is passionate about creating spaces where people can slow down, connect, and experience something truly memorable.
Inspired by nature, travel, and culture, Mirinda focuses on crafting experiences that feel thoughtful and unique—from the way a space looks and feels, to the food that is served and the moments guests take home with them.
Her approach to hospitality is simple: don’t follow what already exists—create something that stands out, feels authentic, and leaves a lasting impression. Through her work, she continues to shape a more experience-driven, modern approach to hospitality in Namibia.
