Encourage Engineers to Build Side Projects

I love that this is really: Encouraging Managers to Accept Side Projects

Engineers are pretty much always up for them, but once a company gets large enough that it relies on metrics for everything, there isn't enough flexibility to let it happen.

Google could never develop Gmail today.

Better question: Why does my manager care about my free-time.

I had someone tell me the other day that they don’t like it when their employees work on side projects. I actually encourage my team to work on side projects in their free time of course, even if those projects may eventually lead them elsewhere.

That’s why I ask upfront if they’ve got other technical interests during an interview. No one stays at a company forever, and I’m not hiring them because I can’t do the job without them.

What I’ve found is: folks who are building on the side tend to bring fresh ideas to the table. They’re more engaged, more creative, and way more valuable than someone just checking off tasks. Plus, supporting their side projects helps defuse resentment, especially the kind that builds when people feel stuck or held back.

When they try to build something of their own, they get a firsthand look at how hard it is to run a business or ship a product. And weirdly enough, that often makes them more loyal. They see that we’re in the trenches together.

People tend to stay when they feel like they’re still learning from you, and they leave when they’ve outgrown you. I’m okay with that.