In today’s hyper-connected, information-overloaded world, companies spend billions on training programs, knowledge-sharing platforms, and professional development. The conventional wisdom is simple: the more you learn, the better you’ll perform. But what if the key to innovation isn’t about learning more, but rather about forgetting less?

It might sound counterintuitive, but this subtle shift in perspective can transform how you think about knowledge management and creativity in your organization.

The Forgetting Curve: Your Biggest Knowledge Leak

The problem starts with how our brains work. Research by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus introduced the concept of the “forgetting curve.” Essentially, we forget up to 50% of newly learned information within an hour and as much as 90% within a week—unless we take deliberate action to reinforce it.

This isn’t just an individual issue. Consider the collective implications for organizations where employees undergo training, attend meetings, or share insights. If 90% of that knowledge is forgotten or left unutilized, what’s the point of investing in learning initiatives?

Forgetting is natural, but it’s also a huge leak in your company’s knowledge pipeline. And while many organizations focus on teaching employees new skills or introducing the latest tools, they often overlook the need to help employees retain and apply what they’ve already learned.

The Innovation Gap: How Forgetting Limits Creativity

Innovation thrives at the intersection of knowledge and application. It’s not about the sheer volume of information you have but how effectively you can connect the dots between what you know and what you do.

When knowledge is forgotten, those dots disappear, making it harder to generate fresh ideas, solve problems, or build on past successes. Employees waste time reinventing the wheel, repeating mistakes, or duplicating effort because critical lessons learned have been buried in the sands of time.

The result? A company that feels stuck, constantly chasing the next big thing while failing to capitalize on the wealth of knowledge it already has.

Flipping the Script: How to Forget Less

So, how do you ensure your organization forgets less—and builds a culture of continuous innovation? Here are three actionable strategies:

1. Reinforce Learning Through Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a proven technique for combating the forgetting curve. Instead of a single training session, reinforce critical knowledge over time. For example, follow up on workshops with microlearning modules, quizzes, or discussion groups that revisit key concepts. This repetition strengthens memory retention and ensures that knowledge sticks.

2. Capture Knowledge in Accessible Systems

Don’t let valuable insights evaporate into thin air after a meeting or brainstorming session. Use knowledge management tools to document and organize critical information. Platforms like Notion, Confluence, or SharePoint make it easy to store and retrieve knowledge so that your team can access it when they need it most.

3. Foster a Culture of Knowledge Sharing

Encourage employees to share their learnings and experiences with their peers. This could be through informal lunch-and-learns, internal blogs, or mentorship programs. When knowledge is shared, it’s reinforced—not just for the sharer but for the audience as well.

The Competitive Edge: Retention Over Acquisition

The companies that will thrive in the future aren’t the ones that simply learn the most but the ones that retain and apply their knowledge effectively. By focusing on forgetting less, you can unlock the full potential of your team’s creativity, reduce inefficiencies, and build a culture of innovation that lasts.

Remember, innovation isn’t about accumulating more—it’s about making the most of what you already have. What steps will you take today to help your organization forget less?