How Google's Mel Silva uses thinking days to reclaim strategic focus

Executive overview

Busy leaders rarely find uninterrupted time to think — it gets consumed by other people's priorities. Mel Silva, head of Google Australia and New Zealand, solved this with a structured thinking day: one full day every six weeks, blocked and unbookable.

The format is simple: three deep questions prepared in advance, no meetings, and dedicated flow time. Output is typically a mind map, a list of new questions, or a scoping document.

If you don't deliberately create the intervention, deep thinking time will never appear by chance.

The thinking day format

• One full day every six weeks, managed by an executive assistant
• Divided into three sections to sustain flow
• Completely blocked — not open for booking
• Prep happens the week before: choose three topics, gather any data needed
• Output: mind map, 30+ follow-up questions, or a scoping document

Why morning blocks didn't work

• Early attempts used two mornings per week — this failed
• By office arrival, mental energy was already depleted (school runs, logistics)
• A full dedicated day produces better flow than fragmented time

Preparing the topics

• Keep a running list of thinking day ideas at the back of a notebook throughout the six weeks
• Distil down to three questions the week before
• Gather required data or inputs in advance
• Occasionally schedule a coaching session within the day for additional energy and clarity

Example: organisational culture review

• Question: are current culture and capability programs still fit for purpose after years of sustained stress?
• Output: a table mapping before/after states, perceived employee sentiment, and strategic imperatives
• This became the discussion guide for a leadership offsite