The solution is pretty simple and given out in the answers below : > It's a good idea for everyone (including Bob) to have a well defined side or pet project.

The solution is pretty simple and given out in the answers below : > It's a good idea for everyone (including Bob) to have a well defined side or pet project. Something that's useful for the business, fun to do, but doesn't have a hard deadline or deliverable yet. Could be technical or scientific research, tools, process improvement, experimental features, documentation, user research, competitive analysis, etc. This is "stuff to work on" if your hair isn't on fire and your tasks are mostly done. These can be defined in collaboration between the employees and the business stakeholders. > Have bob start filling up his own task queue