A Chance Encounter with the Head of Design for Puma Basketball, Jeremy Sallee

In the professional world, it's easy to get caught up in the routine of daily tasks, meetings and deadlines. However, sometimes, a chance encounter provides the most profound inspiration. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Jeremy Sallee, the Head of Design at Puma Basketball, on an overseas flight. "Meet" is too generous; we had a brief encounter, and only afterward, through the power of the internet, was I able to discover with whom I had just spoken.

The Encounter

On a long transatlantic flight, one often expects little more than a chance to catch up on work, watch movies or get some rest. But as fate would have it, I found myself seated behind Jeremy, a master of his craft. I noticed shortly after takeoff that he started sketching on his iPad. I got up to stretch my legs a few times throughout the flight and saw the evolution of his work from a simple black-and-white outline to a full-blown, vibrantly colored Puma basketball shoe. It was a truly impressive piece of art.

Impact: Professionally and Personally

Witnessing this was impactful to me on a couple of levels. Jeremy spent that entire flight sketching. I worked but also carved out time for a movie I had reserved for a long trip and a quick nap (or two). From a professional standpoint, his dedication and skill stood out and have been what I shared with colleagues and friends since that flight. I can't imagine the pressure that Jeremy is under to continuously churn out the next hottest design for one of the leading brands in the world, not to mention working directly with some of the top players across multiple leagues. He made sure that he got the most out of that uninterrupted eight hours.

On a personal level, I'm a bit of a sneakerhead, so seeing the early stages of a shoe that might show up on an NBA court next season was fascinating. I also have a daughter who is an artist and has recently decided that she wants to go into fashion design. After reading a few articles about Jeremy and his work, I had the opportunity to share his story with her. She's at his age when he identified sneaker design as his passion, so she's been extra motivated over the last month.

The Takeaway

Since that flight, I've felt a renewed sense of purpose. Inspiration often comes when we least expect it. My encounter with Jeremy Sallee at 30,000 feet was a powerful reminder that true expertise is about more than just skill – it's also passion, precision and creativity. By embracing these principles, we can all strive to reach new heights in our careers and create impactful, lasting contributions to our fields. Next time you find yourself in the presence of an expert, take a moment to observe. You never know how it might transform your own journey.

If you'd like to read more about Jeremy, here's a good place to start: https://patternindy.com/jeremy-sallee/