“This is not a tomato. It’s a piece of plastic in the shape of a tomato. Truly a pity.”

This was my wife’s reaction a few days ago during breakfast.

And she was absolutely right. The tomato looked perfect — round, vividly red — but when I tasted it, it had no flavour whatsoever. It was as if all taste had been removed, leaving behind a tasteless, artificially dyed shell. These days, agriculture has become so unreliable that you never quite know what you’re really eating — regardless of what’s on your plate.

That moment got me thinking about substance and form.

Yes, it’s important for things to look a certain way — to meet our expectations in terms of form — but it’s equally important that they match that appearance in content and essence.

Take seminars, for example. A seminar should look like a seminar: handouts neatly laid out, slides projected on a screen, a trainer up front, chairs in a classroom-style setup. But beyond appearances, it must deliver: real insight, transformation, inspiration — not just fluffy words or recycled clichés.

A leader should look like a leader — confident, charismatic, with a strong presence. But they must also lead: with compassion, empowerment, and patience — not just control, vanity, or divisiveness.

An employee who’s hired on the promise of hard work and adaptability in a fast-paced startup environment should walk the talk — not withdraw or resist the very conditions they once embraced.

Even a house should not only match the architectural design agreed upon — it must function: insulation that insulates, plumbing that works, materials that last.

Appearance matters — but not at the expense of outcome.

And outcome matters — but not at the expense of integrity in appearance.

What something communicates should align with what it actually is.

What do you think, dear Reader?

Have you noticed mismatches between expectation and reality — in your work or in your life?

Warmly, Philippos