Side projects, Do or Don’t

I had an interesting conversation with a senior colleague the other day. He shared his opinion that people shouldn’t work on side projects after hours. Naturally, I don’t agree; in fact, I’m firmly on the other side of this debate.

I strongly encourage my team to take on side projects outside of work. While side projects offer numerous benefits, I recognize that they can come with some potential pitfalls.

The primary concern with side projects is that people might invest so much time and energy into them that their work performance suffers, which is a legitimate issue. If you’re staying up late to work on your side project and arrive at work exhausted, it’s likely to cause problems.

A sense of balance is essential. Make sure you get enough exercise, sleep well, and eat balanced meals. These habits help keep you healthy and happy. Personally, I find there are ideas and creative pursuits I want to explore that don’t fit into my work schedule or role. For me, being able to explore these ideas and express my creativity is essential to my mental well-being.

Side projects can even evolve into valuable products. While it’s important they don’t interfere with your work responsibilities, it’s also crucial not to create something that competes with your company, as that could lead to conflicts.

The argument that time spent on side projects could be spent on work projects is one perspective, but it’s a narrow and even authoritarian view. What people choose to do in their personal time is their own decision—suggesting otherwise is like saying that time spent at the movies is wasted because it wasn’t spent working.

It all comes down to balance. People should fulfill their work responsibilities, but they should also have the freedom to explore new and exciting paths outside of work. As a believer in transformative leadership, I’m convinced that as individuals grow and strengthen their skills, the company becomes stronger too. The knowledge and skills gained from side projects often contribute fresh ideas and improvements to work projects.

Focusing solely on squeezing every ounce of effort from someone risks driving them away. However, by encouraging their personal growth, you not only support them but also set the stage for future benefits to the organization.

In the tech world, things move so fast that it’s impossible to stay current just during working hours. The best way to keep up with new technology is by experimenting with it—learning through hands-on experience. While reading articles gives you insight into others’ views, developing your own understanding requires diving in yourself. It’s only when you work directly with a tool or framework that you discover whether it will work in practice and where the challenges lie. What looks promising on paper often feels quite different in reality.

For junior developers, side projects are invaluable for building skills. These projects expose them to real-world problems beyond the safety net of work. Without mentors or immediate guidance, they have to tackle challenges head-on, developing problem-solving skills essential for growth. I have two juniors on my team who love gaming, so I suggested they try building a game themselves. Success or failure isn’t the point—it’s about the skills and lessons they’ll gain through the process.

When you consider the opportunities for growth, staying up-to-date, exploring creativity, answering technical questions, and building useful tools, it’s hard to see why anyone would discourage pursuing greatness outside of work.

Skills gained through side projects outside of work enhance job performance by broadening perspectives and boosting competence.