How to Protect Team Time for Innovation

Creating a culture of innovation starts with making space for it. I learned that innovation requires time that is untethered from the daily grind. In my latest initiative, we instituted "innovation hours"—a set time each week when the team could explore new ideas without the pressure of immediate deadlines or deliverables. During these hours, the usual hierarchy flattened. Everyone, from interns to executives, had an equal voice. The diversity of thought led to some of our most creative projects. It wasn't about forcing creativity but providing the right conditions for it to flourish. Encouraging this practice showed me that when you give people the space to think creatively, they will. Make innovation hours a part of your company's routine and watch the seeds of creativity grow into something extraordinary.

Want to know the biggest benefit of hiring a coach or a consultant? It's not always about the new insights or breakthrough strategies they bring. I think that the magic lies in the space they help you create for important conversations. I'm knee-deep in a consulting project for my favorite non-profit, and as we are review insights from donor interviews, I keep hearing, "This information isn't surprising" and "These are things we already know." And at the same time, they are saying, "But we need to do something about this," and "It's good that we're having this conversation." These comments remind me that, often, the answers aren't hidden. They're just buried beneath our daily to-dos. One thing innovators do really well to avoid this pickle is structure their time to address the biggest things first. So while most people work on their todo list and take time for strategic planning when they can, innovators flip the script and schedule their strategic planning first, and then fit in their todos where they can. How can we implement this practice in our daily lives? ✅ Calendar Blocking: Carve out dedicated time blocks in your week to discuss the bigger questions. Protect this time fiercely. ✅ Top-Down Approach: Start your day or week with the big questions. Let the daily tasks fill in the gaps, not the other way around. ✅ Question Everything: Foster a culture where questioning the status quo is encouraged. Sometimes, the daily grind prevents us from seeing the bigger picture. By prioritizing the 'big things' first, not only do you give space to the conversations that truly matter, but you also pave the way for innovative solutions. After all, innovation isn't just about having great ideas; it's about creating the space for those ideas to emerge. 🌟 Here's to putting the big questions at the forefront and letting innovation thrive! #innovation #timemanagement #businessstrategy #priorities #leadership

Struggling to keep your top talent? Real leadership isn’t about adding more chaos. It's about providing cover. When I lost my best performer to organizational chaos I learned a crucial lesson: Shield your team from the storm above. Here’s how to protect your people and empower them to excel: 1️⃣ Clarify Core Priorities → Teams stumble not from laziness, but from juggling too many tasks. 2️⃣ Master the Art of “No” → Every “yes” to busywork is a “no” to meaningful progress. 3️⃣ Stop Scope Creep → Guard projects against endless “just one more thing” requests. 4️⃣ Provide Air Cover → Absorb the hits so your team can focus on what matters. 5️⃣ Simplify Communication → Fewer tools, fewer threads, fewer approvals = more productivity. 6️⃣ Eliminate Talent Blockers → One toxic high-performer can derail an entire team. 7️⃣ Secure Resources → Budget, headcount, and tools are essential, not optional. 8️⃣ Create Breathing Room → Protect time for innovation and recovery—burnout stifles creativity. 9️⃣ Advocate in Absentia → Champion their achievements in rooms they’re not in. 🔟 Build Career Pathways → Push for promotions and projects that open new doors. Your team doesn’t need another manager. They need a leader who truly has their back. Be that leader. Here's how: https://lnkd.in/eYU7ppTJ What’s one thing you wish more leaders did for their teams?

I ended that week being the team's Rock Start, the Sr. SWE. But Monday came, and now I'm a Jr. again, a fresh Tech Lead. 5 Lessons I wish someone had taught me the day I became a Tech Lead. Protecting the team's time is your most important job. - Minimize Meetings. - Set Clear Priorities. - Shield your team from excessive interruptions. - Automate. Lead by example. - Be the first to share a PR with the team asking for a review. - Write the first Test. - Create that Postam collections that will save hours on meetings and questions. Delegate and set priorities. One common mistake I made as a new Team Lead was trying to handle everything myself. Learn to delegate tasks effectively based on individual strengths. Prioritize tasks and projects based on their impact and urgency. Create a safe space. - Ask for feedback from your team, set 1:1s - Everyone works differently; respect different work styles and opinions. - Facilitate opportunities for your team to innovate and pick their brain constantly. Try new things. The "budget" is an excuse; great team leads promote innovation and constant refactoring. Upgrade your libraries, and find opportunities to try new technologies with your team. Becoming a Team Lead is a journey that requires patience and adaptability. But most importantly, as a Team Lead, your success depends on your team's success. What else makes great Team Leads? PS: Never stop writing CODE.