41:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/0e29vbidvogc6.js","/_next/static/chunks/09md0.811p4qk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jjo8hz~ewue4.js","/_next/static/chunks/084k0pvimg.lq.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0d1e9m2ig9v3v.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dzini03ngxm2.js","/_next/static/chunks/0rizq9ux3s1w3.js","/_next/static/chunks/139o5utivfajl.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i-f~c821e7uk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0z7avafhgjcyr.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 43:I[185,["/_next/static/chunks/0e29vbidvogc6.js","/_next/static/chunks/09md0.811p4qk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jjo8hz~ewue4.js","/_next/static/chunks/084k0pvimg.lq.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0d1e9m2ig9v3v.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dzini03ngxm2.js","/_next/static/chunks/0rizq9ux3s1w3.js","/_next/static/chunks/139o5utivfajl.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i-f~c821e7uk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0z7avafhgjcyr.js"],"SendEmailButton"] 44:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/0e29vbidvogc6.js","/_next/static/chunks/09md0.811p4qk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jjo8hz~ewue4.js","/_next/static/chunks/084k0pvimg.lq.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0d1e9m2ig9v3v.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dzini03ngxm2.js","/_next/static/chunks/0rizq9ux3s1w3.js","/_next/static/chunks/139o5utivfajl.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i-f~c821e7uk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0z7avafhgjcyr.js"],"SignupCTA"] 46:I[56939,["/_next/static/chunks/0e29vbidvogc6.js","/_next/static/chunks/09md0.811p4qk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0jjo8hz~ewue4.js","/_next/static/chunks/084k0pvimg.lq.js","/_next/static/chunks/0a~e7k..h6jfc.js","/_next/static/chunks/0d1e9m2ig9v3v.js","/_next/static/chunks/0dzini03ngxm2.js","/_next/static/chunks/0rizq9ux3s1w3.js","/_next/static/chunks/139o5utivfajl.js","/_next/static/chunks/0i-f~c821e7uk.js","/_next/static/chunks/0z7avafhgjcyr.js"],"EpisodeTranscript"] 3b:["$","span",null,{"className":"inline-flex items-center gap-2 bg-secondary/50 px-3 py-1 rounded-full","children":[["$","svg",null,{"className":"w-4 h-4","fill":"none","stroke":"currentColor","viewBox":"0 0 24 24","children":["$","path",null,{"strokeLinecap":"round","strokeLinejoin":"round","strokeWidth":2,"d":"M8 7V3m8 4V3m-9 8h10M5 21h14a2 2 0 002-2V7a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v12a2 2 0 002 2z"}]}],["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2026-01-21T17:00:00.000Z","children":"Wed Jan 21 2026"}]]}] 42:T4e8,

In this episode, tech leaders dive into the concept of allowing team members to opt out of meetings to boost productivity and enhance engagement. Ben Shiman, an experienced B2B and e-commerce leader, shares his insights on balancing meeting attendance with focused work time, touching on his own professional journey and some practical strategies for implementation. Learn about the potential pitfalls, the importance of context and communication, and the overall positive impact of granting team members more agency over their schedules.

* Ben Shichman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benshichman/

* "A World Without Email" by Cal Newport - https://www.amazon.com/World-Without-Email-Reimagining-Communication/dp/0525536558?tag=sommardahl-20

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:07 Ben's Background and Current Focus 02:56 The Importance of Reading and Recommended Books 04:28 Confession Time: Embarrassing Mistakes 07:01 Opting Out of Meetings: Concept and Implementation 10:52 Challenges and Benefits of Opting Out 16:28 Practical Tips for Leaders 23:34 Concluding Thoughts and Final Advice

Letting Them Opt Out of Meetings with Ben Shichman