Bill Gates doesn’t have to know everything. He recognizes that he has employees who do. But, he appreciates the importance of taking the time to learn what they know. He takes time to listen to their ideas. He takes time to think, to ponder the direction of Microsoft. The Wall Street Journal highlighted Gates’ bi-annual Think Weeks in a recent article In Secret Hideaway, Bill Gates Ponders Microsoft’s Future by Robert A. Guth. (You must be a subscriber.) The concept took hold of my imagination.

Essentially, for many years, Gates has gone into seclusion for two, one-week “Think Weeks” a year. Family, friends and Microsoft employees are banned from his retreat.

Alone, he reads manuscripts from Microsoft associates on topics that range from the future of technology to speculation about the next “hot” products. Some papers suggest new products or different versions of current products. Any employee can write up ideas and send them for Gates’ perusal. He says he may read 100 papers during a Think Week and his record is 112 papers.

Not just reading, Gates takes the time to respond to employee suggestions. One paper may result in an email sent to hundreds of Microsoft employees world-wide. Employees wait with baited breath to see if their paper or idea might receive the go ahead following one of these famous Think Weeks.

The process of reviewing employee ideas has evolved over the years. An assistant now culls the submitted papers prior to Think Week and a computerized response system lets Gates easily respond to papers. But the basic idea - to read and think during time alone – remains constant.