Experimental user interface design is worth admiring. When done right, a games UI can not only serve the vital role of communicating important game mechanics to the player, but convey something deeper about the universe the players avatar inhabits and how they themselves view the world.One of the most memorable examples of this is the RIG (Resource Integration Gear) system in Dead Space, which localizes the inventory, weapons, and health meter of protagonist Isaac Clarke to a sleek and compact interface visible via a small holographic projector on his back. The brilliant, diegetic design takes the information the player needs to know and incorporates it directly into the games universe, from keeping track of Isaacs health bar and ammunition counter to playing audio logs collected throughout the USG Ishimura and projecting cutscenes.Unfortunately, there havent been many games since Dead Spaces initial release in 2008 that have attempted to replicate, let alone improve on, the games approach to diegetic interfaces. That is, however, with one notable exception: the 2017 sci-fi stealth horror game Echo.Developed by Danish indie studio Ultra Ultra, the game centers on En, a young woman who awakens aboard a sentient starship after a century in hypersleep. All we know is that En suffered a gunshot wound to her abdomen before embarking, and London, the ships artificial intelligence, is pissed with her for reasons that wont become entirely clear until much later on.We soon learn that Ens destination is a mysterious planet that houses a palace of untold wonders, including the ability to resurrect the dead. Shortly after landing on the planets surface and discovering that its in fact an ecumenopolis, a supermassive structure which houses the so-called palace itself, En encounters the echoes: artificial doppelgangers of herself created by the palace in order to stop anyone from obtaining the power within. In order to succeed, En must find a way to defeat these immortal, infinitely multiplying enemies who can copy her every move.Echo is one of my all-time favorite games. Developer Ultra Ultras creative reuse of assets, character models, and motifs masterfully evokes a sense of eeriness and horror, while the chess-like game mechanics are pure elegance. The games ornate, futuristic aesthetic was even inspired by Alexander McQueen and the Palace of Versailles. Hell, even Echos menu screen is an overt reference to the opening of on Flux! I could talk on and on and on about all the things I love about this game, but like Dead Space, its diegetic hudsphere interface is especially underrated.Shortly after landing on the planets surface, En is given a space suit equipped with a hudsphere, a color-coded radar-like interface that encircles her body in a light-blue-tinted aura. The radius of the hudsphere acts as the players compass, pointing them to their next objective as they traverse the winding corridors of this immense palatial structure.Its only after encountering the echoes for the first time, though, that the hudspheres full functionality comes to the forefront. The closer En is to an echo, the more the suits interface reacts in proximity to a potential threat. A blue fractalized shimmer along the surface of the sphere indicates the presence of another humanoid entity; a yellow shimmer indicates the player is about to be noticed, while a red fractal shimmer means the player is being targeted by an attacker. When En is attacked, a quick-time prompt will appear on the HUD, allowing her to break free. After surviving an attack, red spikes will appear inside the hudsphere, signaling that she is vulnerable and will not survive another attack until they have disappeared.All of this is explained in-universe as a part of the suits assist mode, which also braces Ens fall whenever she leaps from a great height and stops her from worsening her injuries if she runs for too long. One of my favorite elements of the hudsphere, though, is its area scan functionality, which sends out a pulse wave that expands the spheres radius, tagging all echoes in your immediate vicinity at the cost of momentarily blinding you to close incoming threats. No matter how many times I use it, it always feels sleek and effortlessly futuristic.And thats not even mentioning that, after En draws her pistol to attack, the radius of the hudsphere will seamlessly unfold to become the guns reticle. You can even tag enemies to your HUD from afar if you hover the reticle over them long enough. Nearly every element of the games broader mechanics and systems is reflected through the hudspheres design.Eventually, En herself comments that the suits interface is technically outdated due to the century in hypersleep it took to arrive at the palace. Throughout Echo, the creative team at Ultra Ultraseized every opportunity to gesture at the periphery of the games universe, peppering enticing anecdotes and dialogue alluding to what it might be like to exist in its particular vision of a spacefaring civilization.Combined with the games sound design, which reacts in response to the escalation of threat levels in real time, youve got a system that looks and feels as cool as it is legible and intuitive to respond to. On the whole, the hudsphere in Echo feels like both a reaction to and an evolution of Dead Spaces own RIG system.Echo is a dark horse in every sense of the term: beautiful, difficult to master, and an experience entirely its own. Unfortunately, it was the first and only game that Ultra Ultra had the opportunity to develop; the studio was forced to close in 2019 following the games poor sales. That said, I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing it for yourself if youre looking for an ambitious and unique, albeit imperfect, sci-fi stealth game with gorgeous visuals and music that stands the test of time.Echo is available to purchase on Steam and PlayStation Store.

To celebrate the New Yorkers 100th anniversary, Swedish design brand PRINTWORKS is proud to present a chess set like no other the limited edition CHESS NYC The New Yorker x Printworks. A playful take on the game with illustrations conceived by regular contributor Christoph Niemann, pawns become taxis, the queen becomes the Statue of Liberty, and the knights become pigeons. A graphic set that would fit in a minimalist living room just as well as a maximalist study, this chess set lets visitors in on the game, while giving natives signs of home.Since 1998, Christoph Niemann has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker, bringing a sense of wit and style to over forty covers and countless comics, including the first augmented-reality cover titled On The Go. A staple in his work, a brilliant marigold color, is handpicked to reflect the lines on the subway and yellow cabs iconic to the city. From a multitude of sketches and finished products, down to the buttons on his website, this color elegantly intertwines the boldness of his work with the intensity of the city.Striking silhouettes one and all, the black and white game pieces reflect landmarks and staples that inhabit NYC, giving it character and charm. The pawns are taxis, following the sea of yellow through the bustle of the city, yet quite aptly only allowed to move one square per turn, much like a real cab. The knights are pigeons, flocking about, knights paths similar to the sometimes jaunty movements of urban bird flight.Rooks are abstractions of the Brooklyn Bridge, leaving just enough of the iconic facade to communicate identity. Bishops are the Chrysler Building, one of the most recognizable NYC facades, towering over the cabs to complete their diagonal movements. The queen is the Statue of Liberty, our watchful lady presiding over her court with grace and aplomb. Lastly, the king is, of course, the classic New Yorker dandy, with his hat and the cheekiest hint of an ascot. Always a fan of removing all but the most essential elements, this is just one of the qualities that give Niemann such a strong hold on design culture.Printworks is a Swedish brand founded in 2017, offering smart and stylish pieces designed to bring the family together. Offering a range of photo albums, board games, portable lamps, and other home decor items, they offer a beautiful and functional products with strong narrative, considering environmental impact and product lifecycle in the process. Consistently removing waste from their production process, their packaging is just as much a part of the product as the piece itself. This consideration results in high-quality, solid construction, items finding a lasting place in peoples homes.To learn more or to purchase the CHESS NYC The New Yorker x PRINTWORKS chess set for $120, visit printworksmarket.us.Photography courtesy of PRINTWORKS.

Turntables are having a moment. Vinyl continues to see a massive resurgence, and with it, turntables have begun to diversify, both in form and function. One of the most striking new designs comes from Paris-based design studio Waiting For Ideas. Their latest creation, the PP-1, is a radical reimagining of the traditional turntable, combining extreme minimalism with innovative technology.The PP-1 is a turntable like no other. Carved from a single block of aluminum, its monolithic design eliminates the conventional tonearm and extraneous controls. The result is a striking, almost barren block of metal, free from the dials, buttons, and switches, except for two, typically associated with vinyl players. This streamlined approach enhances both the aesthetic appeal and the user experience, reducing the act of playing a record to its most essential gestures.Instead of a traditional tonearm, the PP-1 features a built-in needle that reads the vinyl directly from its body. To play a record, users simply place it upside down on the player. The turntable automatically detects the size of the record and adjusts accordingly, ensuring optimal playback without requiring manual calibration. This intuitive design blends digital convenience with the tactile satisfaction of analog music.Despite its minimalist exterior, the PP-1 does include essential controls. A discreet button allows users to adjust the speed between 33 and 45 RPM, while a multipurpose button controls playback and volume. Output options include a 3.5mm mini-jack and a USB-C connector, offering compatibility with modern audio setups.One of the PP-1s most unique features is its ability to function in both horizontal and vertical orientations. The turntable securely holds the record in place, enabling users to mount it upright for a striking display. This flexibility not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also introduces a new way to interact with vinyl records.To complement the PP-1s groundbreaking design, Waiting for Ideas has also developed a bespoke speaker system. These speakers, designed as twin monolithic blocks wrapped in fabric, seamlessly integrate with the turntable. They can be stacked to create a sleek, tower-like structure or placed side by side for optimal sound diffusion. The result is a fully immersive listening experience that emphasizes the depth and texture of analog audio.In an era dominated by digital streaming, the PP-1 reinvents the ritual of music listening. By stripping away unnecessary elements, it encourages a deeper engagement with sound, allowing listeners to experience the weight, texture, and even the silence of their records in a new way. It transforms music consumption into a tactile, contemplative act an experience rather than mere background noise.Waiting for Ideas is a Paris-based design studio founded in 2021 by Jean-Baptiste Anotin. Specializing in the intersection of art and design, the studio crafts visually arresting and thought-provoking objects, installations, and spaces. Their work spans collaborations with renowned brands like Kith, Lacoste, Reebok, and Shinzo, as well as projects for Frances Mobilier National. By blurring the boundaries between art and industrial design, Waiting for Ideas continues to challenge conventional aesthetics and redefine the way we interact with everyday objects.The PP-1 is made to order and is available for 5,800 with worldwide delivery scheduled for June 2025. To learn more or to order, visit waiting-for-ideas.com.Photography by Mathilde Hiley, courtesy of Waiting For Ideas.

Growing seeds is a relatively simple process: Bury seeds in dirt, add water, heat, and light from the sun, and in most cases, something is going to sprout. The problem is, most of us conduct this process inside, because were trying to get a jump on the growing season. Inside, where theres no sun, heat is hard to control, and the most your seedlings can stretch out their new little root legs is the size of the plastic cell theyre planted in. As such, it takes some practice to grow strong, resilient seedlings, and beginners make plenty of mistakes. The good news is, most of them are solvable.Not enough light This is how close lights should be to seedlings that haven't germinated yet or just have. Credit: Amanda Blum This is one of the easiest problems to diagnose, because it is also one of the most likely problems. Remember, when growing seeds inside, you have to try to replicate the sun. When people estimate how much light they need to reproduce the sun, they almost always underestimate. The tell is easy: Your seedlings will be leggy" with long stems that arent strong enough to support the leaves of the plant. The stem is often curved, almost like the plant has scoliosis. The seedlings may bend towards the light, too.The solution is, of course, to add more light. I find too often people starting out seeding for the first time buy one growing lamp to arc over their entire shelf of seedlings, when each tray needs 2000-5000 lumens (that's a lot of lumens). Its not just how strong the light is but also how long theyre on: Seedlings need 14-16 hours a day of sunlight. Those lights need to be much closer to your seedlings than you think, too. Six to eight inches above your seedlings is the right distance.If your seedlings are already too leggy, you can try a few things. First, if theyre tomatoes or peppers, youll be able to bury the stem deep into the soil when you pot up the seedling or plant it outside, and this will solve many problems. If its another kind of seedling, like cucumber, they dont usually require the same strong stems, and will likely correct themself over time. It will help to run a fan in the room and run your hands over the seedlings a few times a day. Both will encourage the stems to strengthen.Too much light You can see how close the lights are to most seedlings, and how much light is applied. Credit: Amanda Blum With most plant diagnosis, it can be frustrating to hear, it may be too much or too little. This isnt true with light. Its really easy to tell if theres not enough, as above, or too much. Like us, plants can get sunburned. They develop scorch marks with the leaves at the top bearing almost white or golden splotches. The splotches dont have a pattern to them, either. Now, seedlings are susceptible to a lot of diseases, fungus, and virus, so you may find yourself concerned with knowing whether this is sunburn or something else. The good news is, it doesnt matter because the solution is the same: Cut it off. The sunburned leaves cant absorb light or nutrients and cant recover, so cut them off entirely, and let the rest of the plant recover. Obviously, move the lights farther away, but dont overcorrect. While seedlings can get closer to traditional lightbulbs, my experience is they burn easier with LEDs, so while traditional tube lights can be within inches of my seedlings with no issue, I keep LED lights six inches or more away.No germinationOf all the seeds you plant, some just arent going to germinate. There are a lot of reasons for that, but let's cover the most likely causes. First, you may have buried the seed too deep or not deep enough. On the back of each seed package are directions for how deep to plant seedsand its not a loose recommendation. While the difference between a seed planted an inch deep or one and a half inches deep might not matter, theres a huge difference between seeds that need to be lightly coveredlike carrots and most flowersand those that get buried, like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. Another tell is this: The bigger the seed, the deeper you bury it. Zinnia seeds barely get covered, but pea seeds need a depth of an inch or so, and large bean seeds need to be buried deep in the soil.This is, unfortunately, one of those problems you need to solve ahead of time. If a seed has been sitting in wet soil for too long, and it hasnt germinated, it has likely gone rotten. Youd just need to start over; by the time youve figured out a seed isnt germinating, its likely only a few weeks since you planted, so you havent lost too much time.Another reason might be that the seeds are simply expired. Every kind of seed has an expiration date. It can be very short, like alliums (onions), which are good for a year. Experienced gardeners will know that these are merely guidelines; you can always test your seeds by trying to germinate them to see if theyre still OK.The seed mat youre using to heat up your seeds could also be too hot, cooking your seeds. You want the seeds and soil to remain between 70-80F, but no more. Once your seeds are cooked, theyre goners, so start over with fresh seeds.Too much waterYou can over-love your plants. Too much water, even if your plant survives, discourages your seedlings from growing strong root systems. Under-watering is always the better solution, so long as the plants have enough to survive, since it causes the roots to reach out in search of more resources, forming stronger root systems. Watering methods for seedlings that allow them to only uptake as much water as they need are the most ideal, such as bottom watering, which leaves a little water in the tray for the soil to wick up. But even if you water from the top, you want soil that is lightly moist, but never soaking wet.Yellowing leaves or mushy plants are usually a sign of overwatering. If the plants start to smell bad, mold is likely developing in the water, which is another sign theres too much water. In those cases, the solution is to go the other way and use less water. Your plants may or may not recover. If you trim away any root rot or squishy leaves and stems, it may recover.However, most seedlings will develop some green or white fungus on top of the soil, and that is not necessarily a bad sign. It just happens, and it wont affect your seedling in any way.Not enough water If seedlings grow with the right amount of light, the stems will be strong enough to support a taller plant, even in a small pot. Strong root systems will develop with the right amount of water. Credit: Amanda Blum Droopy seedlings usually need water. Tomatoes, in particular, will start leaning over and will quite literally look sad. This can happen toward the end of the watering cycle, and if not left to fester, it's not a problem, but it's a sign that you should water them. You should see plants immediately perk up, within an hour or two of watering.If your soil block is really dry, thats never a good sign. You want your soil to always be lightly moist, not dry. If youre having trouble keeping your soil moist, you should consider bottom watering, as mentioned above, because it is a consistent method. The soil takes up what it needs.

Marriage: The sacred union of two hearts, two souls, and, less romantically, two tax returns. While poets and romantics wax lyrical about eternal love, accountants and financial advisors see matrimony through a different lens. After all, marriage is a significant economic transaction with its own balance sheet. Let's take a cold, calculating look at the institution that promises "for richer or poorer"and find out which one you're more likely to experience.The financial pros of marriageFor the most part, there are plenty of ways in which "I do" means "we save." Tax benefits (sometimes)For some couples, marriage delivers an immediate return on investment through the "marriage bonus." Couples with disparate incomes often find themselves in a lower tax bracket together than they would be separately. However, the IRS doesn't send wedding giftsthis benefit typically favors traditional arrangements where one spouse significantly out-earns the other.Check out this calculator from the Tax Policy Center to see how much federal income tax two people might pay if they were to marry. It compares the taxes a married couple would pay filing a joint return with what they would pay if they were not married and each filed as single or head of household. Healthcare savingsNothing says romance like discounted health insurance premiums. Many employers offer family coverage that costs less than two individual plans. Plus, you'll only need to meet one family deductible instead of two individual ones when you both get sick from the same wedding buffet.Economies of scaleMarried or not, two can live almost as cheaply as oneespecially when it comes to housing, utilities, and streaming subscriptions. Why maintain two half-empty refrigerators when you can maintain one completely full one? The shared-expense model makes everyday living more efficient, assuming you can agree on a thermostat setting.Social security advantagesMarriage offers a built-in retirement safety net. Surviving spouses can claim their deceased partner's Social Security benefits if they exceed their own. It's the government's way of saying, "Sorry for your losshere's some money."The financial cons of marriageWhen "I do" becomes "I'm due...to pay." Hey, not all of my wordplay is perfect, OK?The marriage penaltyThis is the flip side of the marriage bonus. Some dual-income couples with similar earnings find themselves paying more in taxes together than separatelythe infamous "marriage penalty." Nothing strengthens a relationship like realizing you're paying thousands more annually for the privilege of filing jointly. Here's that calculator again.Shared debtsWhen you marry someone, you don't just get their charming quirksyou might get their debt too. While premarital debt typically remains separate, any debt accumulated during the marriage can become shared responsibility, depending on your state's laws. Their student loan debt remains theirs, but their impulsive decision to finance a luxury boat "for weekend getaways" becomes your shared financial burden.Before you assume youre on the hook for a debt, its usually worth it to take a breath and dig into whether youre actually responsible.Divorce as a financial riskApproximately 40-50% of marriages end in divorcea statistic that financial planners can't ignore. The average divorce costs between $15,000 and $30,000 in legal fees alone, not counting the financial aftermath of dividing assets, potential alimony, and the cost of establishing two separate households. No wedding DJ ever announces, "And now, let's factor in the statistical probability of spending $20,000 to undo this entire event!"Benefit complicationsSome income-based government benefits may decrease or disappear entirely when household income is calculated jointly. Marriage can inadvertently disqualify individuals from financial aid, assistance programs, or income-based repayment plans for student loans.Tips to protect yourself financiallyYou'll hear people say, "Sign a pre-nup," but what exactly does that entail? And what else can you do to protect your finances in your marriage?The prenuptial agreement conversationNothing says "romance" like discussing how to divide assets in case of divorce before you've even cut the wedding cake. Despite its unromantic reputation, a prenuptial agreement provides clarity and protection for both parties. Think of it as insuranceyou don't buy home insurance because you expect your house to burn down, but because you recognize it could.Prioritize financial transparency Before marriage, schedule a judgment-free financial disclosure session. Reveal credit scores, debt loads, assets, spending habits, and financial goals. Finding out your spouse has $60,000 in credit card debt during your honeymoon makes those "for richer or poorer" vows feel a bit more literal than intended.Establish a financial frameworkDecide early how you'll handle money: Will you merge everything, keep separate accounts, or create a hybrid system? Determine who pays for what, how savings will be allocated, and how major purchases will be decided. This prevents the "I thought you were paying the electric bill" conversation in the dark.Create an exit strategy for your accountsConsider maintaining some financial independence, like a personal emergency fund or credit card in your own name. This isn't about planning for divorceit's about maintaining financial identity and credit history, which becomes crucial if you face unexpected circumstances like a spouse's death or incapacitation.The bottom lineMarriage represents many things: a romantic milestone, a legal contract, andwhether we like to admit it or nota financial partnership with significant economic implications. While love may be the reason you marry, money will likely be something you discuss daily for the rest of your lives together.The good news? Financial compatibility doesn't require identical views on moneyjust open communication, mutual respect, and occasionally, the willingness to compromise on whether a $7 daily latte habit constitutes "essential spending."After all, as the old saying goes: Love may be blind, but marriage is a long-term investment strategy with variable returns and significant tax implications.

Gone are the days of kids asking their parent to borrow cash or their card when going out with friends. Instead, parents can now give their kids access to Google Wallet for making in-store payments with their Android device. Google first announced that this feature was coming back in October.Kids can also use Google Wallet to store passes to things, including a library card, ticket for an event or a gift card. But, parents have a lot of oversight, such as receiving an email every time their child makes a purchase. They can also monitor everything within Family Link, along with remove a payment card or shut off access to all passes.GoogleRight now, Google is just rolling out the new feature for families in the US, UK, Australia, Spain and Poland. Parents in any of these locations should see the option pop up within the next few weeks.Apple users can already access a similar feature with Apple Cash Family. Parents can set up anyone in their Family Sharing group and let them make purchases, or send and receive money through their wallet or messages. Just like on Android, parents can see their kids' purchases and get notifications each time they buy something. Plus, parents can view the remaining balance or send an allowance through Apple Cash by creating a recurring payment.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/google-wallet-is-now-available-for-kids-140039676.html?src=rss

Google has followed up an ocean's worth of leaks with the official announcement of its Pixel 9a smartphone, which will retail for $499. Possibly the biggest change to the new A-series model is in its appearance, with the removal of the camera bar on the back of the phone. In the 9a, the camera housing is "slightly domed," sitting nearly flush with the rest of the frame, giving this midrange model a sleeker appearance. There are also new colors for this series a pale purple dubbed Iris and a vibrant pink named Peony joining the usual Porcelain and Obsidian options. (The peony option is similar to that on the pricier Pixel 9.) The Pixel 9a is also getting a chip upgrade, moving up to Google's Tensor G4 processor from the G3 that was in Google's excellent Pixel 8a. Performance in the 8a was already quite good, so expect even smoother control with the G4. As with the 8a, the 9a is equipped with 8GB of RAM and comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. The new A-series also promises up to "30+ hour battery life." Cameras were a big reason why we liked the Pixel 8a, naming it our top pick for a midrange smartphone. The housing is different in the 9a, but it's also got slightly different specs inside. The rear dual cameras in the 9a offer 48MP wide and 13MP ultrawide lenses, while the front is equipped with a 13MP selfie camera; the 8a had 64MP wide in the rear camera. It'll support AI-powered features such as Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take and Photo Unblur. Google is bringing the Macro Focus option to the A-series for the first time for photos with lots of close-up details. There's also Night Sight to help improve your nocturnal photography. The 9a will be available in the US and Canada in North America, as well as numerous other countries in Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Pre-orders will open in April, with no further detail on availability. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-officially-introduces-the-pixel-9a-for-499-140028722.html?src=rss

North Korea, Russia, China, and others are abusing an ancient flaw in .LNK files to attack Windows.

Google's new Pixel 9a looks like the true next-gen budget phone hero with a host of upgrades.

Early in their leadership journey, many leaders believe they need to have all the answers and be experts in every aspect of their teams work. They assume that credibility comes from knowing every detail, every strategy, and every technical nuance. However, the most effective leaders soon realize that leadership isnt about having all the answersits about knowing enough to ask the right questions, spot key trends, and guide their teams toward success.Rather than micromanaging or dictating processes, strong leaders focus on creating clarity through shared goals and measurable outcomes. By setting clear performance metrics, they establish a common language with their teamsone that ensures alignment, fosters trust, and allows experts to do what they do best. This approach empowers teams to take ownership of their expertise while enabling leaders to maintain strategic oversight without unnecessary interference.Ultimately, leadership isnt about proving intelligence or controlits about fostering an environment where knowledge thrives, collaboration is seamless, and results speak for themselves.Establish Clear MetricsAs a leader, Ive learned that I dont need to be the expert in every area my team works in, but I believe knowing enough to be dangerous is critical. This means understanding the core concepts, being able to ask sharp questions, and spotting potential red flags when performance or processes seem off. I see my role not as the person with all the answers, but as someone who can guide the team to ask the right questions and evaluate results critically.One specific strategy I actively follow to foster collaboration and mutual respect, especially when my team members have deeper expertise than I do, is establishing clear performance checklists and standardized metrics that we all align on upfront. These metrics have become our common language. This approach ensures that my team can apply their knowledge and creative ideas while I focus on ensuring were all steering toward the same outcomes.For example, I dont try to dictate every ad copy or keyword with my PPC team. I know they have far more hands-on expertise than I do. What I focus on instead are the critical numbers: cost per lead, conversion rates, search query analysis, and quality scores. These metrics tell me whether campaigns are moving in the right direction or if we need to step back and reevaluate. This allows me to ask the right performance-based questions without interfering in their technical process, reinforcing their confidence and autonomy.This balance of freedom with accountability has helped me create a culture where my team members feel respected for their expertise and understand that outcomes matter. What Ive also noticed is that this mutual respect encourages better communication. When I respect their deep technical knowledge, theyre more open to educating me about emerging trends or evolving challenges in their domain. At the same time, because I stay focused on the bigger picture, they appreciate my strategic insights that might otherwise get lost in day-to-day execution.Ultimately, I believe that a leaders role is to create a framework where expertise thrives, not to compete with it. By respecting my teams knowledge and adding value through clear direction and outcome monitoring, Ive fostered collaboration, innovation, and a healthy sense of shared ownership across projects.Sangeeta Kumar, vice president, marketing, Healthcare DMSFacilitate Knowledge SharingIn my opinion, a good leader will be happy when their team members have more expertise in certain areas. It means theyve hired well.The key is to create an environment where that expertise is shared and valued, not feared. One specific strategy I use is to regularly set up knowledge-sharing sessions.We make it clear that everyone, including myself, is there to learn. The goal is to encourage questions and create a space where everyone feels comfortable contributing.This approach does a few things: It shows the expert that their skills are appreciated, it spreads that knowledge throughout the team, and it builds respect because everyone sees the value that person brings.Shantanu Pandey, founder and CEO, TenetEmbrace Reverse MentoringLeaders should embrace the expertise of their team members by shifting from a traditional top-down approach to a collaborative mentorship model, where learning flows both ways. One effective strategy is reverse mentoring, where experienced team members regularly share insights with leadership in structured sessions.Instead of positioning themselves as the ultimate authority, leaders can schedule monthly knowledge exchanges where subject-matter experts within the team lead discussions on industry trends, technical skills, or new strategies. This fosters a culture of shared learning and mutual respect, allowing leaders to stay informed while empowering their teams to take ownership of their expertise.By acknowledging and valuing specialized knowledge, leaders build trust and encourage open collaboration. This approach not only strengthens decision-making but also creates an environment where innovation thrives, as employees feel their insights are heard and acted upon.Chris Giannos, cofounder and CEO, HumanizPractice Curiosity-Driven LeadershipOne of the most underrated yet powerful leadership strategies when managing a team with more expertise is Curiosity-Driven Leadership, a mindset that shifts a leader from knowing to learning, fostering an environment of psychological safety, collaboration, and mutual respect.Instead of feeling pressure to match their expertise, leaders should ask insightful questions, elevate the knowledge of their team, and integrate their expertise into strategic decisions. Heres how:1. Ask insightful questionsInstead of pretending to know the answer, leaders can ask, What would you do if you had full autonomy over this decision? or What are we not considering here? This shifts the power dynamic from leader-to-expert to peer-to-peer, making the expert feel valued rather than managed.2. Elevate expertise publiclyA leaders role is to shine a spotlight on expertise. A simple way to do this is by saying in meetings: I defer to [Team Member] on this. Its their area of mastery. Giving credit and public recognition fosters mutual respect and trust.3. Integrate expertise into strategic decisionsThe difference between a leader who listens and a leader who leverages expertise is action.Instead of collecting insights and making an isolated executive decision, involve the expert in shaping the outcome. This might look like saying, Based on your recommendations, how do you think we should implement this?Leaders who embrace curiosity over control gain the trust of their team, create an environment where expertise flourishes, and ultimately make better, more informed decisions. When leaders stop trying to be the smartest person in the room and instead become the most curious, they unlock the full potential of their team.Manuel Schlothauer, founder, HeyManuel.comCo-Create With Your TeamGreat leaders recognize that expertise isnt a threatits an asset. When managing a team with specialized knowledge, the key is to shift from command and control to coach and empower. One effective strategy is co-creationinvolving experts on your team in decision-making rather than dictating solutions. By facilitating open discussions, asking insightful questions, and positioning themselves as a strategic guide rather than the smartest person in the room, leaders create an environment where innovation thrives. This approach not only fosters mutual respect but also ensures that the best ideas rise to the top, driving both team engagement and business success.A helpful mindset practice for leaders in this situation is intellectual humilityembracing the idea that you dont need to have all the answers, but you do need to ask the right questions. Practicing this means shifting from feeling like you must prove your value to instead recognizing your value as a facilitator of expertise. A simple habit is to start meetings with curiosity-driven prompts, such as, Whats a perspective I might not have considered? or, What are the potential risks or opportunities you see? This keeps the focus on collective problem-solving rather than hierarchical decision-making, reinforcing trust and collaboration.Shannon Garcia-Lewis, chief people officer, Pella Windows & Doors, Rocky MountainEncourage Your Team To Speak UpAs a business leader, I dont expect to be the expert across all areas of the business, and I embrace the situations when my ideas are challenged. Bringing in new ideas and approaches to solving problems is critical to our business growth.When interviewing candidates for open roles, we look for the personality types that will challenge the norm and dont hesitate to speak their mind. We believe in this so much we layered it into the foundation of our team culture which we share on our careers page.Specifically, we ask our team to: Mean itshare opinions honestly and respectfully. Dont be afraid to pick a side and defend it.Jared Brown, CEO, HubstaffLean Into Team ExpertiseIn order to solve our most pressing and challenging business problems, sometimes we need someone with more expertise than us to carve a path forward. For some leaders, relying on someone with more expertise can lead to stress or worry that theyre losing control, unable to keep up with the latest industry trends, or worse yet, viewed by their colleagues and boss as out-of-their-league.But at the end of the day, we must always keep the big picture in view, and be willing to discover what we know we dont know so we can take questions we have to our teams and lean into each persons expertise to build trust across the team, and collectively drive our efforts forward to success.I lead an analytics department, and we recently migrated our HR organizations data to a central hub from multiple SaaS vendors whose built-in reporting features werent cutting it. Pretty quickly, I realized I was in over my head. But by sharing with my team the bigger picture of what our collective success would look like when we finished this project, I was able to encourage an ongoing, open dialogue that allowed team members to volunteer new ideas and approaches, which in turn allowed me to ask better questions.By relying on everyones expertise and trusting them to drive their areas as they best saw fit, I had more time to clearly define my expectations of the team at each stage, and lean into their expertise to collaboratively craft an even better solution than any single one of us could have come up with alone. This also forced me to better learn the challenges each person faced through the project, and either remove obstacles in their path, or guide their efforts around roadblocks to keep progress moving forward.Knowing and acknowledging our limits as leaders is critical; we can better realize what we know we dont know, and use those opportunities to build better solutions for our clients, while also building team trust along the way.Casey Meadows, head of talent acquisition analytics, Upstart