Week 24.23 On the Cutting Edge

This week, my daughter, Lily, launched the Kickstarter campaign for The Cardinal, a new chef's knife that she designed. It is an amazing product, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to support her. The inspiration for this knife came four years ago when she was in culinary school and learned that traditional chef knives are too large for most hands. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she started an online business teaching cooking and meditation (together), which led her to investigate how to create the product she felt was needed and that women (and small-handed people everywhere) deserved. As the pandemic eased, she began to build a team, identified a talented young industrial designer, and attracted a mentor to support her in developing the product and business. She enrolled in the NYU Food and Nutrition Masters Program, winning over faculty and friends as supporters and collaborators. She has filed for and been awarded patents. Her product is both elegantly designed and highly functional.

Lily’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in leadership. She identified a problem that she was deeply passionate about solving and set out to create a solution that would make a difference for others like her. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, she remained focused and adapted her approach to build a team and develop her product. Her ability to inspire and engage others, from her industrial designer to her faculty supporters, demonstrates the importance of building strong relationships and fostering collaboration as a leader. By staying true to her vision while remaining open to feedback and new ideas, she has created a product that not only meets a functional need but also embodies a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.

Lily is committed to providing value far beyond their first interaction with the product. In addition to offering a high-quality chef's knife, she is providing original content, new recipes, free sharpening, and a community of food lovers – a complete "knifestyle" brand. This holistic approach recognizes that customers seek more than just a tool; they seek an experience that enriches their lives and connects them with others who share their passions. My daughter is demonstrating the power of empathy and customer-centricity by creating a comprehensive offering that meets both functional and emotional needs. Looking beneath the surface, she is not simply selling a product but equipping chefs of all sizes and skills with the tools and inspiration they need to embrace their love of cooking and share it with the world.

Lily's journey also highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in leadership. The path to creating a successful product and launching a business is rarely straightforward, and there will inevitably be obstacles and setbacks. However, by staying focused and being willing to pivot and adjust her approach as needed, my daughter has demonstrated the resilience to weather storms and the adaptability essential for long-term success. She has faced challenges with creativity and determination, always looking for new ways to move forward and bring her product to life. This mindset is critical for entrepreneurs and leaders in all fields who must navigate complex and ever-changing environments to achieve their goals.

In life and leadership, my daughter's example teaches the importance of passion, perseverance, empathy, and adaptability. By staying true to herself while remaining open to new ideas and approaches, she has created a product and a movement that have the potential to make a real difference in people’s daily lives. She has shown me that a beautifully designed tool has the power to change the way we interact with the world around us.? As leaders, we can all learn from her example and strive to bring the same level of passion, purpose, and customer-centricity to our work to make a difference in the lives of those we love and lead. Whether creating a new product, building a team, or leading an organization, we must always remember that our ultimate goal is to create value and positively impact the world.

With love, gratitude and wonder.

Scott

KICKSTARTER: Sole Cookware, The Cardinal Chef Knife by Lily Osman

Sole Cookware is revolutionizing the culinary world with their innovative Cardinal Knife, designed to address the longstanding issues faced by home cooks and professional chefs with smaller hands. By backing this Kickstarter campaign, you have the opportunity to join a movement that celebrates diversity and empowers all individuals to unleash their full potential in the kitchen.

The Cardinal Knife boasts a customizable design that adapts to your unique preferences and requirements, with interchangeable handles and a range of blade options. This user-centric approach ensures optimal comfort, control, and precision, transforming your culinary experience. As a backer, you'll be among the first to experience the game-changing benefits of the Cardinal Knife and have the chance to shape future offerings through color polls, access to exclusive recipes, behind-the-scenes updates, and the opportunity to provide valuable input on product development.

By supporting Sole Cookware, you're not only investing in a groundbreaking product but also joining a vibrant community of passionate food lovers. The funds raised will cover production costs, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, reliable product that meets the highest standards. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a culinary revolution that promotes inclusivity, innovation, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Key Tools for Leading Today by Sanyin Siang

In her insightful post, Sanyin Siang highlights the importance of expertise and trust in leadership, especially in the context of today's evolving landscape. She emphasizes three key trends that new leaders must adapt to: technology shifts affecting leader-follower interactions, power moving from institutions to individuals, and employees' growing demand for humanity from their leaders.

To navigate these changes, Siang suggests three priorities for building an effective leadership playbook. First, leaders must show their humanity, as demonstrated by Wendy Clark's relatable welcome video recorded at home during the pandemic. Second, they should connect personally with their teams, making each member feel valued, as exemplified by Lieutenant General (Ret) Dr. Nadja West's inspiring interaction with a private. Finally, leaders should embrace strategic vulnerability, admitting when they don't have all the answers but expressing a willingness to find solutions together.

Siang underscores the significance of trust in leadership, citing Sim Sitkin 's definition: "A willingness to be vulnerable in times of uncertainty." To foster trust, leaders must invest time in cultivating compassion and understanding their followers' hopes and fears. By adapting to the changing leadership landscape and prioritizing human-centric approaches, leaders can effectively guide their teams through turbulent times and drive meaningful impact.

How We Can Beat Burnout: It’s Time To Make Resilience A Team Sport by Keith Ferrazzi

The traditional view of resilience as an individual responsibility is no longer sufficient in today's high-pressure work environment. With over 80% of employees at risk of burnout, a shift from "I" to "we" is necessary. This shift, called "Teamship," empowers teams to co-lead and support each other's resilience through "Co-elevation" behaviors, such as vulnerability, empathy, and a willingness to ask for and offer help.

To put Co-elevation into practice, teams can implement two high-return practices: Energy Check-In, where team members rate and share their energy levels during meetings, and Resilience Spot-Check, a monthly deep dive into factors impacting resilience. Leaders play a crucial role in prioritizing team resilience by modeling supportive behaviors and creating a culture where Co-elevation is the norm. By making resilience a shared responsibility, teams can boost their ability to navigate challenges, maintain their energy, and achieve extraordinary results while safeguarding their well-being, ultimately gaining a powerful competitive advantage in a world where burnout is a looming threat.