PaperChain Chats: Simon Schaffer, Case Paper
PaperChain Chats | NPTA | January 27, 2021
In the inaugural PaperChain Chat, Case Paper President and NPTA Emerging Leader’s Committee Chair Simon Schaffer joined NPTA’s Lauren Liacouras to discuss the progression of his career, the hallmarks of a good leader, the state of the industry and more. Schaffer, who entered the industry about a decade ago, said the highlights of his career in the years since ultimately come down to the people he has met. “The industry itself has such authentic people who really care about what they do,” he says, describing it as a breath of fresh air in today’s “increasingly transactional” business environment.
As far as Schaffer is concerned, vulnerability and authenticity are two of the most important values a leader can have. “You can’t be a great leader if you’re trying to be somebody you’re not,” Schaffer says. Staying true to yourself, then, is one of the best ways to set a positive example for and connect with your employees. Additionally, Schaffer believes it is important for leaders to keep in mind that their positions of leadership do not lend them automatic authority on all topics. “You don’t know everything, and you never will,” he says. A good leader, in Schaffer’s estimation, is always willing to grow and learn more, regardless of experience or years in the industry.
In the year ahead, Schaffer is hoping the NPTA’s Emerging Leaders can become a resource for personal and professional development in the industry. Ideally, he says, up-and-coming members of the industry can turn to the Emerging Leaders to get advice and honest feedback from an outside or independent perspective, as opposed to seeking feedback from within their companies. Over the long term, he hopes the Emerging Leaders will leave their stamp on the NPTA, inspiring future members of the industry to continue the tradition of giving back and paying it forward. Ultimately, the Emerging Leaders are working against a backdrop of rapid change — not just in the industry, but across the globe. When Schaffer entered the industry, he helped modernize Case Paper’s website and operations, bringing it up to speed with the newest technology of the day. Now, that technology is long obsolete, as changes are coming more quickly than ever. “The rate of change just keeps getting quicker,” Schaffer says. “As an industry, we’re not alone. I think that’s a pretty powerful thing to say at this point.”