The Cake Rule That Keeps on Giving

Years ago, my former boss—an entertainment attorney—shared a simple, clever rule he used with his kids whenever they had to share a single slice of cake:

One cuts the slice. The other chooses first.

It’s not complicated. But it is powerful.

Because the chooser gets first pick, the cutter becomes laser-focused on making the slice exactly even. It’s a built-in check and balance—no lectures, no referees. Just a clean system that motivates fairness.

My husband and I have adopted this rule ourselves. Cake, pie, a lone donut—if it’s being shared, one of us cuts and the other chooses. We act like we’re joking, but we are absolutely serious. The level of scrutiny we give those slices? It's almost scientific.

That got me thinking: why does this little system work so well—and how can we use it in business?

Where Fairness and Structure Meet

This rule isn’t about dessert—it’s about designing decisions in a way that protects both sides. The one who’s cutting knows they don’t have full control. The one choosing knows the system has their back.

In business, especially if you're a solopreneur or leading a small team, you're constantly navigating this same dynamic. You’re either setting the terms or responding to someone else’s. And when those roles aren’t clearly defined—or feel lopsided—that’s when second-guessing, resentment, or confusion start creeping in.

So how can we take this "I cut, you choose" mindset and apply it to how we work?

Practical Ways to Use This in Your Business

Whether you’re working solo or with collaborators, here are a few places to put this into practice:

Client Packages
You set the structure, your client picks the path. That means every package should feel thoughtfully built—not just the high-ticket one. If someone picks your middle option, you want them to feel great about it, not like they settled.
Collaborations
Maybe you create the proposal, and your partner handles the timeline. Or you agree to split marketing duties—but one person chooses the platform, the other leads the execution. This gives each party both voice and accountability.
Delegation and Micro-Teams
Even if you’re working with a VA or a freelance assistant, think about balance: if you’re setting the task, let them choose how they get it done. Or if they’re choosing their preferred workflow, you agree on the check-in points. This builds mutual trust and helps you step out of micromanagement mode.
Pricing and Scope Conversations
If you're feeling nervous about quoting a project, ask yourself: Would I still feel good about this if the roles were reversed? If your client got to choose first, would you be confident in what they picked?

Designing for Balance, Not Just Control

This isn’t about giving away authority. It’s about creating systems where fairness is built in from the beginning—where people trust the process, not just the person.

When you take the time to structure your offers, proposals, and collaborations in a way that feels balanced, everything gets easier:

Expectations are clearer
Boundaries are stronger
Projects flow more smoothly

You spend less time over-explaining, re-negotiating, or wondering if someone feels shortchanged. And you stop feeling like you have to hold the entire business together with duct tape and good intentions.

Putting It Into Practice

To start applying this to your own business, try reflecting on these two questions:

Where am I doing all the “cutting”—setting structure, pricing, timelines—without really thinking about how it feels for the person choosing?
Where might I be the chooser—and realizing that the setup feels a little off, unclear, or uneven?

Even small adjustments to how decisions are made can lead to big shifts in clarity and confidence.

Final Thought: No One Wants the Tiny Slice

So yes, this started with cake. But what it’s really about is how we create smoother processes, stronger partnerships, and more sustainable work—by designing with fairness in mind.

And when your systems are built that way, no one gets stuck with the tiny slice.