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

In this episode, host Byron chats with Ken Deegan, a fractional CTO and former software engineer, about the importance of helping teams to 'fail better'. Ken shares insights from his experience transitioning from software development to tech leadership, highlighting the value of creating an environment where team members feel safe to take risks and learn from their mistakes. The conversation touches on the significance of empathy, resilience, and open communication. They also discuss practical tips for fostering a culture of innovation and support within tech teams, as well as the benefits of human flourishing that come from handling failures constructively.

* Ken Deegan on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-deegan-330a5327
* "Glyph" by Ali Smith - https://www.amazon.com/Glyph-Novel-Ali-Smith-ebook/dp/B0FN3NWHH5?tag=sommardahl-20

00:00 Introduction and Episode Teaser
00:31 Meet Ken Deegan: Background and Interests
01:52 Ken's Journey in Tech Leadership
04:46 The Importance of Failing Better
07:26 Creating a Safe Space for Innovation
12:08 Characteristics of a Good Fail
14:42 Human Flourishing Through Failure
18:31 Challenges and Pitfalls in Promoting Failure
23:09 Practical Steps to Help Teams Fail Better
33:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Michael Turner shares his inspiring journey from a children's home to becoming a fractional CTO and Marine Corps veteran. He discusses how he met his wife during a mission trip in Honduras, and the unique life they lead, splitting their time between Tennessee and Honduras. The conversation delves into the importance of leadership and mentoring, with a specific focus on building systems like API for the brain to promote clarity, reduce stress, and enhance team communication. Turner introduces frameworks like the Five Voices and the Health Index to help employees grow both personally and professionally, emphasizing the power of genuine care in leadership. The episode also includes anecdotal experiences, including Turner's humorous kickball mishap, and offers actionable advice for tech leaders to foster human flourishing within their teams.

* Michael Turner on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-turner-11615515

* "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins - https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-David-Goggins-audiobook/dp/B07KKP62FW?tag=sommardahl-20

* Website: https://www.miketurner.us/

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
01:18 Technical Setup and Initial Challenges
01:56 Meet Mike Turner: Leadership Journey
06:33 Impact of Marine Corps on Leadership
08:27 Books that Shape Leadership
10:51 Confession Time: Embarrassing Mistakes
12:16 The Kickball Incident
17:46 API for the Brain: Concept Introduction
20:27 Implementing the API Framework
22:04 Setting Professional Growth Plans
23:01 Using Trello Boards for Skill Improvement
25:38 The Five Voices Framework
26:42 Understanding Team Dynamics
31:26 Promoting Human Flourishing
36:20 Challenges in Implementing Frameworks
45:40 The Importance of Caring Leadership
47:52 Conclusion and Contact Information