I have been thinking about the meaning of competition since the Olympics came to a close. Depending on the context, competition can be friendly and engaging, or brutal and combative. It can be something that inspires and pulls people together or a mindset that polarizes and drives people in a destructive direction. Competition can be joyful and uplifting or it can spiral out of control, tearing away at reason and good faith. To some, a competitive spirit is the ultimate thing to aspire to while others find it off-putting and discriminatory. Winning at all costs, to many, is the battle cry of the competitive, while others are more interested in how the game is played. It was Vince Lombardi, the famous football coach of the Green Bay Packers who proclaimed: “Winning isn’t everything – it’s the only thing.”

As I watched the media frenzy around medal count at the Olympics and which country was in the lead, I began to watch individual athletes to see if there might be a better indication of their drive. So, here are my observations:

No doubt, everyone wants to win, and I’m sure that every athlete had their eyes on a medal, especially gold. Each athlete hopes to make their country, coach, and family proud by standing on a riser while a medal was fastened around their neck. But then as I watched a few individual athletes I saw a look of determination, intensity, and honor that went (I believe) way beyond their performance score. I sensed that their real competition was not the person(s) battling for medals that stood to their right or left, it was their own expression of dedication to pushing their bodies, minds, and spirits toward excellence. They may all look to the time/score board after their run, swim, or floor exercise, but more importantly they were focused on their own culminating best effort. They looked to their team members and searched the audience for eye contact with family members not just to find support for their ranking, but to inquire – did I give my best effort?

When I watched Steph Curry throw four consecutive full court baskets in a warmup or know that his three-point shots from anywhere on the court were certainly going to hit their target, I knew that his only competition was the mental, physical, and emotional strength that came from total dedication and relentless practice. When I saw the flawless execution of gymnastics routines by Simone Biles, I knew that as much as she wanted to win medals, she was all about finding a way to constantly improve and overcome whatever obstacles might come her way. Watching Katie Ledecky swim the 800-meter freestyle was a chance to witness a single person’s pursuit of best effort and a relentless intent of setting her own bar higher every time she competed. When individuals make the type of commitment to excellence that U.S. athletes offered then the recognitions will come but it is the personal commitment to giving everything that is their greatest endeavor.

This competition with oneself can be evident in any profession, or any personal pursuit. I have seen it in restaurant kitchens and in classrooms at the same level as one might witness on the field or on the court. The struggle to be on top, the best ranked operation on Trip Advisor, gaining a Michelin star or James Beard Award pales in comparison to those chefs, restaurateurs, or cooks working towards personal and collaborative excellence. The recognition is not the end game, but if personal best and team cohesiveness with a common spirt of excellence is the everyday focus then those accolades will come and if they don’t then all is not lost. It is process, effort, and commitment that are the real rewards and the result for those cooks and chefs will be the creation of memories for guests and a sense of fulfillment for the employees.

For the dozens of chefs who have won a James Beard Award over the past few decades, there are thousands of others who are equally talented and committed and just as impactful. Even though other restaurants may be ranked higher on Trip Advisor, those numerous other operations who are supported by hard-working cooks, chefs, and service staff who take pride in their work, and produce memorable experiences for guests, can and should feel just as proud. And that elusive Michelin star is no less remarkable than the effort to be great by so many other restaurants than shine in communities across the country.

It is the effort and the passion that keep the engines of excellence prominent in all walks of life, not the rewards worn around the neck or hanging on the wall. A guest who returns on a regular basis, a team of employees who have no desire to work elsewhere, a cook who looks up to a chef/mentor, a student who sees a role model in the eyes of their teacher, or an athlete who is always focused on seeing how competent and unique they can become provides the ultimate reward for commitment and effort.

Kudos to all Olympic athletes and to all individuals and teams who seek excellence in what they do and stay the course of self-improvement. There is plenty of inspiration to be found in those focused individuals to our left and to our right.

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER

Harvest America Ventures, LLC

Restaurant Consulting

www.harvestamericacues.com  BLOG

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