For a while now I have shaken and stirred, thrown around and burnt the wok. Some patina is building up and I feel the wooden handle becoming part of my body.

As I float here, thinking of the dish I deliver to you this week, oh almighty void, I am hesitant to pick up the sauces I usually use. Do not worry, I will elaborate.

I have recently taken up a new endeavour, one where partnership and communication happens far away from words and text. Outside of the comfort zone of this tiny island in the cyberspace. And within this new adventure, I have found a dangerous dichotomy: having to lead when there is no experience at all on how to lead. And then it dawned on me! This is where vulnerability shows strength and arrogance, as well as false confidence, are immediately uncovered, kicking you in the back.

So if we start thinking….

Let me back up, I thought about this already now. So, instead, YOU think about when you were faced with the responsibility of leading without understanding. Tip-toeing your way around. Think about a situation where you expected someone to lead, knowing that they might be lost.

What I have found, is that a nonchalant way of accepting and indulging in mistakes is the way forward. So when I see someone trying to cook a dish in a wok, with the flame bursting, hot oil sizzling and my endless library of sauces facing them, I will step back, put a hand on their shoulder, smile and let them lead. Will we get burnt? Maybe. Will it be too spicy? Let’s see! Will it taste mediocre at best? Probably.

So what I am trying to say is: when we are facing a dish that requires a lead, make mistakes. And if you are not leading, let mistakes happen. The best way is to smile about them. Maybe sprinkle a little sesame seed on top, you will be surprised how good this will look even when the overall dish hasn’t reached perfection.

And always remember: I’ll be here with my spices and a smile so we can save that dish together.