You know those work tasks that take longer than they should because of some rule or procedure that has outlived its purpose? The culmination of these clunky processes is known as process debt, and it costs employees time that could be used for innovation. Here’s how to combat it—and give your employees back time to try new things.

If you’re going to add something, take something away first.When the number of projects accumulates to the point where they become insurmountable, it takes away time to generate fresh ideas. As a manager, openly celebrate when your team stops doing something, just like you would celebrate the launch of something new. 

Make it clear innovation is a priority. Provide employees with the dedicated space (such as an office brainstorming room) and time (such as a hackathon event) they need to cook up new ideas. 

Separate the goals of optimization and invention.Optimization is about improving the business, growing the number of customers, and keeping them happy, whereas invention is about bringing something new to the market. Employees have seasons of peak busyness—which aren’t the optimal moments to push them to think differently. Instead, prioritize innovation during the less-intense stretches of the year.
This tip is adapted from “How to Give Busy People the Time to Innovate,” by Eric Athas.
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