EP 314 - Believing Is Seeing (Edge of the Napkin Series #12)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
There’s a phrase we’ve all inherited without ever asking whether it serves us: “I’ll believe it when I see it.” It sounds reasonable. It sounds mature. It sounds like the responsible stance of someone who has been around long enough to be cautious. But anyone who has ever built something meaningful — a business, a team, a movement, or even a new version of themselves — knows the truth beneath that old saying: “Seeing” has never created belief. Belief is what creates the ability to see. That’s the heart of today’s napkin thought:...
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EP 313 - Listening & Learning with Shivani Dhamija
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman sits down with Shivani Dhamija, founder of Shivani’s Kitchen — a culinary brand rooted in authentic Indian flavors and fueled by a passion for empowering others through food. From her humble beginnings selling spice blends and sauces at local markets in Nova Scotia to building a thriving food-manufacturing business, Shivani’s journey is as flavorful as her recipes. At the heart of her success lies a simple napkin message: “Listening & learning.” Two small words that capture a massive truth about...
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EP 312 - Build for Value — Not for the Hype: How some AI Companies are Winning, and others aren't (Edge of the Napkin #11)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Edge of the Napkin #11 There’s a feeling that sweeps through every era of innovation — that electrifying sense of this is it. The next big wave. The one that’s going to change everything. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives into what happens when high-expectation innovation collides with reality — when the future we bet on becomes today’s proving ground. The AI boom, once the unstoppable tide lifting every boat in sight, is now pulling back. Markets are correcting. The water is getting choppy. And what’s being revealed isn’t failure — it’s truth....
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EP 311 - Dr. Jenny Hoffmann: Open Up! Lead with Curiosity, Empathy, and Connection
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Today on Paper Napkin Wisdom, we welcome Dr. Jenny Hoffmann, a leader in health-tech innovation who currently serves as Executive Director at the New England Medical Innovation Center (NEMIC). With a rich background in healthcare strategy and technology deployment, Jenny has spent her career bridging clinical insight with entrepreneurial energy, helping organizations turn innovative ideas into meaningful patient-outcomes. In this episode, we dive deep into how leaders can lean into vulnerability, curiosity, empathy and connection — the key themes captured on her paper...
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EP 310 - Make Believe: The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves (Edge of the Napkin #10)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Make Believe: The Stories Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves (Edge of the Napkin #10) Every entrepreneur lives inside a story — the question is, who’s writing yours? If you’ve ever had a morning where nothing goes right — you stub your toe, drop your keys, spill coffee on your white shirt before 8 a.m. — you know the script that starts to play in your mind: “It’s gonna be one of those days.” And somehow, it is. Everything that follows seems to prove the story true. But the opposite happens too. You walk out the door feeling light, ...
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EP 309 - Jon Rosemberg — Survival Is Instinct, Thriving Is a Choice
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When you meet Jon Rosemberg, you immediately sense two things — depth and discipline. He’s a behavioral scientist, author, and executive coach who has spent years exploring how we, as humans, can move beyond mere survival into a state of thriving. His work combines neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience, and it’s reflected powerfully in his new book, A Guide to Thriving: The Science Behind Breaking Old Patterns, Reclaiming Your Agency, and Finding Meaning. On his paper napkin, Jon wrote just seven words: “Survival is instinct, thriving is a choice.” At...
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EP 308 - Flexibility Is the Only True Hedge – Edge of the Napkin #9
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In a world where volatility has become the norm — prices swing, markets shake, politics polarize, and technology rewrites the rules daily — one question stands out for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone simply trying to navigate life: How do we hedge against uncertainty? Not with gold. Not with cash. Not with control. But with flexibility. That’s the essence of this week’s Edge of the Napkin. On my napkin, a single word runs across the center: RISK. Below it — Rigidity → Fragility. Above it — Flexibility →...
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EP 307 - Simone Kelly - Build a Business You Love (But Not Your Hobby)
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When Simone Kelly first began helping families navigate the complexities of senior care, she didn’t just build a company—she built a movement. As the founder and CEO of Seniornicity, Simone’s mission is rooted in empathy, connection, and empowerment. Her company bridges the gap between older adults, families, and trusted care providers, making it easier for people to age well, together. But the napkin she brought to Paper Napkin Wisdom goes deeper than business strategy—it’s about protecting your passion and preserving your peace. “Build a business that you love,...
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EP 306 - HOW? The Freedom to Create the Future - Edge of the Napkin #8
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Sometimes, the smallest words hold the biggest weight. In this episode of Edge of the Napkin, Govindh Jayaraman dives deep into one of the most overused — and misunderstood — words in leadership: “How.” We use it constantly. We think it’s helpful. But as Govindh reveals, how can be both the key to progress — and the invisible wall that keeps us from growing. We say things like: “That’s not how it’s done.” “That’s not how we do things here.” “Let me show you how I want that done.” “We tried that how before...
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EP 305 - Solve a Real Problem. Make It Beautiful. Care Like Hell. - With Nancy Johnston
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When you meet Nancy Johnston, you can immediately sense the combination of depth and purpose behind everything she touches. She’s the founder and CEO of Truuce, a company built around reimagining human connection, well-being, and design in the modern world. Her leadership bridges the emotional and the practical — weaving care, creativity, and clarity into every solution she creates. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Nancy shares a simple but transformative philosophy written on her napkin: “Solve a real problem. Make it beautiful. Care like...
info_outlineIn Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Safnauer, a seasoned leader and executive with a wealth of experience in management, strategy, and innovation. Andrew has held leadership roles across diverse industries and today brings his insights into resilience, adaptability, and persistence. His wisdom is captured on a single napkin:
“Find your way over the wall.”
At first glance, it’s a simple metaphor. But as Andrew shares, this idea has been a recurring theme throughout his life and career, one that continues to guide him and those around him.
The Napkin: Find Your Way Over the Wall
Andrew explains that in the arc of his journey, obstacles and challenges have never been reasons to turn back. Instead, they have been invitations to problem-solve creatively.
“When you get to a problem, when I get to a problem, it doesn’t turn me around. It’s really about finding my way over, around, or through the wall.”
Walls, in Andrew’s story, are not barriers meant to stop us — they are tests of perseverance and ingenuity. Whether it was early-career hurdles, moments of reinvention, or leading teams through uncertainty, the theme of getting over the wall kept showing up.
Resilience as a Practice, Not a Trait
Andrew emphasizes that resilience is not something you’re simply born with — it’s built. Each obstacle tackled becomes a reference point for the future, a reminder that you’ve navigated tough situations before.
He shared how this mindset allows him to reframe setbacks: instead of being moments of failure, they become moments of redirection. “The wall isn’t the end,” he suggests. “It’s just part of the journey.”
Creativity in Problem-Solving
Another key theme Andrew highlights is creativity. Getting over the wall isn’t always about brute force or stubbornness. Sometimes it’s about:
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Looking for another path — maybe the wall isn’t as tall a little further down.
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Asking for help — someone else may already have a ladder.
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Redefining the problem — maybe the wall doesn’t even need climbing.
This blend of creativity and persistence turns challenges into opportunities.
Leadership Lesson: Modeling Grit for Others
As a leader, Andrew knows people watch how you respond to difficulty. The way you approach obstacles sets the tone for your team. By consistently demonstrating the belief that challenges are navigable, leaders inspire confidence and cultivate cultures of resilience.
He notes: “It’s easy to get discouraged when the wall looks too high. But if people see you keep moving forward, they start to believe they can too.”
5 Key Takeaways from Andrew Safnauer
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Obstacles Are Inevitable
Don’t waste time wishing there were no walls. Expect them, prepare for them, and use them as growth points.
Take Action: Write down one current “wall” you’re facing. Reframe it as an opportunity to grow.
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Resilience Is Built, Not Born
Each wall you’ve climbed makes the next one more manageable.
Take Action: Journal three past moments where you overcame an obstacle — and what you learned.
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Creativity Opens New Paths
Not every wall needs to be scaled directly. Explore new approaches, seek different perspectives.
Take Action: Brainstorm three alternative ways to solve the challenge you’re facing.
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Leadership Means Modeling Grit
Your response to challenges directly influences your team.
Take Action: Share openly with your team how you’ve overcome challenges, and involve them in finding solutions.
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Persistence Pays Off
Often the difference between success and failure is simply not stopping at the wall.
Take Action: Commit to one consistent step forward this week, even if progress feels slow.
About Andrew Safnauer
Andrew Safnauer is a proven leader with deep experience in operations, management, and organizational growth. His career spans industries where innovation, strategy, and resilience are key. Andrew’s perspective on finding your way over the wall comes from decades of experience leading through challenges and inspiring others to do the same.
Final Thought
Andrew’s napkin — Find Your Way Over the Wall — is a call to action. Obstacles are not stop signs; they’re opportunities to rise. Entrepreneurs, leaders, and difference-makers can take this to heart: when the wall appears, don’t turn back. Climb, reroute, or redefine — but keep moving forward.
Now, I’d love to hear from you:
👉 What’s the wall you’re facing today, and how will you get over it?
Write your takeaway on a napkin, snap a photo, and share it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom.