I think omakase can within reason be applied to the most important aspects of your work/life - even if no one will ever see it or praise it. Jony Ive, a former Apple Designer, used to say he used to obsesses about the packaging - because when it’s done with care people will inherently feel it.
If you show up with care, do great work it will be recognized.
In conclusion, Omakase the big stuff - health, family, major aspects of work, even rest.
Love the post and the use of omakase, which is also an important concept because it requires trust! Trust-based interactions are fewer and far between these days and we need more of them!
The chef probably never set out to “create an experience.” He simply decided that the work deserved his full attention. After enough years, that becomes something people travel across the world to witness.
This is such a profound reminder of what actually creates a competitive advantage in a world of optimized indifference. The concept of unreasonable care is something we may talk about, but seeing it framed through the Kyoto sushi chef’s lens (specifically the boredom test) is incredibly powerful.
It’s a rare gift to see someone treat their work as a life’s mission rather than a margin to be protected.
Thank you for this masterclass in intentionality, Hari!
Thank you!! A lot of times our day to day gets mired in boredom and as a result starts to appear like we don’t care. Auditing our day to day for care will help that.
What an amazing anecdote! I often ask for recommendation at restaurants and sometimes the enthusiasm is always a tell to order something - even if it’s not my first choice!
I have! It’s one of my favorite documentaries. I’ve always wanted to have dinner there but getting reservations are super difficult. He is over a 100 and still working!
I first watched it in 2012 and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I subsequently visited Japan and personally experienced the dedication to craft that you describe so beautifully in your essay (sadly not with Jiro Ono, but via many other business interactions).
To my delight, I have also encountered the omasake principle in the west too. Sensing my hesitation upon being prompted for my order, a barista in a London coffee shop confidently informed me that she was going to make me a flat white. Upon seeing the mildly bewildered look on my face, she said “trust me, it’s the best coffee I make”.
Spoiler: the flat white was absolutely first class. The barista who made it has moved on to better things, but I still make a point of visiting that specific coffee shop when I’m in London and ordering a flat white.
Lovely post to start the day. Would love to hear what omakase means to you, and where you apply this principle.
I think omakase can within reason be applied to the most important aspects of your work/life - even if no one will ever see it or praise it. Jony Ive, a former Apple Designer, used to say he used to obsesses about the packaging - because when it’s done with care people will inherently feel it.
If you show up with care, do great work it will be recognized.
In conclusion, Omakase the big stuff - health, family, major aspects of work, even rest.
Omakase the big stuff. Do it for the sake of doing it.
Hahahahha this might the best pun I’ve heard in a long time. Huge fan of puns!!
Oh interesting question! Let me give it some thought.
the value-per-word on the omakase section was next level. i'm gonna print that part out.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it. Especially given your high standards!
Love the post and the use of omakase, which is also an important concept because it requires trust! Trust-based interactions are fewer and far between these days and we need more of them!
And 💯 agree on trust!
Thank you so much for the kind words and restack!
The chef probably never set out to “create an experience.” He simply decided that the work deserved his full attention. After enough years, that becomes something people travel across the world to witness.
💯 agree!
This is such a profound reminder of what actually creates a competitive advantage in a world of optimized indifference. The concept of unreasonable care is something we may talk about, but seeing it framed through the Kyoto sushi chef’s lens (specifically the boredom test) is incredibly powerful.
It’s a rare gift to see someone treat their work as a life’s mission rather than a margin to be protected.
Thank you for this masterclass in intentionality, Hari!
Thank you!! A lot of times our day to day gets mired in boredom and as a result starts to appear like we don’t care. Auditing our day to day for care will help that.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Have you seen the documentary Jiro Dreams Of Sushi?
What an amazing anecdote! I often ask for recommendation at restaurants and sometimes the enthusiasm is always a tell to order something - even if it’s not my first choice!
I have! It’s one of my favorite documentaries. I’ve always wanted to have dinner there but getting reservations are super difficult. He is over a 100 and still working!
I first watched it in 2012 and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I subsequently visited Japan and personally experienced the dedication to craft that you describe so beautifully in your essay (sadly not with Jiro Ono, but via many other business interactions).
To my delight, I have also encountered the omasake principle in the west too. Sensing my hesitation upon being prompted for my order, a barista in a London coffee shop confidently informed me that she was going to make me a flat white. Upon seeing the mildly bewildered look on my face, she said “trust me, it’s the best coffee I make”.
Spoiler: the flat white was absolutely first class. The barista who made it has moved on to better things, but I still make a point of visiting that specific coffee shop when I’m in London and ordering a flat white.