Senior engineers should make side bets

Senior engineers are encouraged to spend 10-20% of their time on self-initiated projects, known as side bets, that could bring unexpected value to their companies. These projects involve risk, as many may fail and remain unnoticed, but successful ones can significantly enhance an engineer’s reputation. Engineers should publicize successful side bets to maximize their impact. However, continual failure in such projects may indicate poor judgment, and engineers should know their limits.