Key facts
- Pacsun CEO Brieane Olson reduced company meetings by 60% since taking leadership.
- Olson believes an over-focus on efficiency can hinder innovation and brainstorming.
- Some of the most productive leadership discussions at Pacsun have lasted four hours.
- These extended discussions typically occur during biannual long-range planning sessions.
- Olson aims to build a culture where all voices are heard and listening is prioritized.
Brieane Olson, CEO of Pacsun, has significantly reduced the company's meeting load by approximately 60% since assuming leadership three years ago. This initiative was part of an effort to create more space for focus, creativity, and execution. Olson emphasizes that not all conversations require formal meetings, advocating for smaller discussions, quick decisions, and written communication when more efficient. She stated her commitment to ensuring meetings are useful for her team. While Olson champions efficiency, she also cautions against an over-focus that could stifle true innovation, creativity, curiosity, and brainstorming. She noted that some of the most valuable conversations within the leadership team have extended to four hours, particularly during the biannual long-range planning sessions, which typically span two to three days. Olson aims to cultivate a culture where all voices are heard, emphasizing the importance of listening for a company that values community and creativity. Her approach echoes that of other executives, such as Instagram's Adam Mosseri, who has implemented policies to reduce recurring meetings, and Jeff Bezos, who favors meetings starting with detailed memos followed by reading and discussion.