Written by Kristin Harrington
My friend’s husband is a fancy Chicago chef and restaurateur. His restaurant was recently named in the Top 100 Restaurants by the New York Times and earned a prestigious Michelin Green Star award for sustainable practices. As you might imagine, it’s booked solid night after night.
Joking about the success he’s experiencing, he commented, “We’re a seven-year overnight success.” He went on to say that they’ve been doing the same things in the same ways for nearly a decade. Only when a reputable national brand noticed did they become an “overnight” success.
His journey is important for leaders to take heed of. In the 15 years I’ve known him, most of those years he’s been in the kitchen honing his skills. He’s missed countless vacations, parties, and special events to sharpen his culinary skills. He’s studied the greats of our time, venturing internationally to learn from the best. He’s sacrificed in seen and unseen ways time and time again.
The road to overnight success is paved with long hours, deep commitment, and tireless discipline. Being great requires a willingness to put in the time behind the scenes, often for years, before being noticed. The greats are only greats because they understand the fundamentals of being great. Here are a few:
Consistency is key. It’s not about grand gestures but the small, consistent actions taken every day. Whether it’s a chef perfecting a recipe or a leader refining their core skills, showing up daily and putting in the work separates the good from the great. Consistency builds trust and reliability, essential traits for any effective leader.
Embrace continuous learning. The best leaders never stop learning. They seek out mentors and coaches, read across disciplines, and always look for ways to improve. This commitment to growth keeps them ahead of the curve and ensures they remain at the top of their game. For my friend, this meant studying under renowned experts and pushing boundaries to forge new paths in farm-to-table, Italian-inspired fare.
Resilience is crucial. The path to greatness is fraught with challenges and setbacks. The restaurant will have slow seasons, the reviews won’t always be great, and the pressure will inevitably increase. It’s the ability to persevere through tough times that define true success. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity, taking comfort in failing forward. Learn the lesson, get back up, and try again. Pushing through adversity is a hallmark of all great leaders.
There are no overnight successes. Anyone who has made it “big” spent years in the small. They showed up consistently. They learned from everyone they could. They fell and then got right back up, over and over again. If you’re aspiring towards greatness, you’ll put in much time and effort laying the foundation for greatness. Now’s the perfect time to start.
