How do you get employees to stretch their boundaries and take on new initiatives and projects? Google famously lets its engineers spend up to 20% of their time on side projects. While we can't all be Google, some of their approaches can be applied to encourage creative thought and problem-solving. The City of Des Moines Public Works Department has added a unique wrinkle to the pre-existing professional development program. The professional development form includes four goals; the first three are built by the employee and the supervisor. The fourth goal must stretch the employee's boundaries, forcing the employee to learn a new skill, acquire new knowledge, or an ability that will help expand his or her job definition. Employees have come up with some really creative projects that will impress you! Learning Objectives: Adapt a traditional, professional development program into one that includes employee innovation. Drive innovation with experienced staff who know their jobs and do them well, but don't stretch beyond that. Build an employee retention tool that is interesting and exciting for both new and current employees.

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Jonathan Gano

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