Manfred von Richthofen captured worldwide attention in the early 1900s. Popularly known as Red Baron, he shot down 80 enemy flights before being killed in his last battle. Today, he is a cultural phenomenon; books, movies, and memorials are dedicated to him.
But then you have René Fonck, the French aviator believed to have shot down 127 German planes, far more than Red Baron, but none of us would have heard of him. Fonck’s aircraft was never scratched by enemy fire. He is largely forgotten, with a hard-to-find autobiography and few mentions here and there.
This pattern of some being remembered while others are forgotten is not unique to fighter pilots. For instance, if you ask people what the greatest advertising campaign ever was, they will likely mention Volkswagen’s “Think Small” campaign. While Doyle Dane Bernbach is recognized for their work, the people who worked on the campaign, copywriter Julian Koenig and art director Helmut Krone, didn’t get the recognition they deserved.
Why do some people become iconic for the same actions and heroic performances while others are left in obscurity? Network scientist and author Albert-László Barabási has spent a lifetime researching this subject and explored it in his book, “The Formula.”
We often use “success” and “performance” interchangeably, as though they are different sides of the same coin. Yet, they couldn’t be more different. Performance is about you—what you do on a daily basis, how fast you run, and how well you think. Success, however, is about us—how we see you and perceive your performance. Albert’s work explains how there is a direct connection between performance and success.
The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success
1. Network Drives Success When Performance Isn’t Measured
If you consider modern art, performance is subjective. People buy art for millions of dollars, yet the difference between one piece of art and another is often arbitrary. Success in art isn’t just about performance but also about networking.
Al Diaz and Jean-Michel Basquiat were both talented graffiti artists. While Diaz worked in obscurity most of his life, Basquiat networked with influential figures like Andy Warhol, propelling him to stardom. This shows that in fields where performance isn’t strictly measurable, success is often driven by networks.
2. Success is Limitless Even Though Performance is Bounded
In fields where performance is measurable, like athletics, small differences in performance can lead to enormous differences in success. Usain Bolt, for example, runs just 1% faster than his competitors but is rewarded exponentially more. Success operates under the “winner-takes-all” principle, where being slightly better can lead to vastly greater rewards.
3. Previous Success x Fitness = Future Success
The principle of preferential attachment states that those who’ve succeeded before are more likely to succeed again. For example, when it was revealed that Robert Galbraith, the author of The Cuckoo’s Calling, was actually J.K. Rowling, the book became an overnight bestseller. Previous success can compound future success, but it requires maintaining high performance.
4. Teams Succeed, but Individuals Get Credit
In any great team achievement, like the Chicago Bulls winning six championships, the credit usually goes to one person—in this case, Michael Jordan. Even though teams are diverse and balanced, one individual often receives the spotlight.
5. Performance and Networks Together Drive Success
In fields where performance can be measured—like sports—you must improve your performance to succeed. In areas where performance is subjective—like art—you need to cultivate your networks. But for most of us, success is not a matter of choosing one or the other. We live in a world where both performance and networks matter. To succeed, you must master both. Performing well is only half the battle—making sure people see it and recognize it is the other.
How Einstein Achieved his Fame?
Einstein’s ascent to popularity explains how having the correct connections and visibility are just as important to success as having unique talent. While creating his revolutionary theories on relativity in the early 1900s, Einstein was mainly unknown and only discussed his views with a select few other scientists.
When Sir Arthur Eddington put Einstein’s theory that light bends around the sun to the test during the 1919 solar eclipse, everything changed. Newspapers all throughout the world announced that “Light Bends Around the Sun” when Eddington’s findings supported Einstein’s hypothesis.
This was more than just a scientific discovery; it was a time when prominent people and the media brought attention to Einstein’s work and made it available to the general public. After this, Einstein cultivated a close relationship with the media by embracing his newfound reputation through speeches and well-received publications.
“They’re cheering us both. You because nobody understands you, and me because everybody understands me.” – Charlie Chaplin
As Charlie Chaplin once said, “They’re cheering us both. You because nobody understands you, and me because everybody understands me.” This quote perfectly captures how recognition often hinges on community support.
Einstein’s journey reminds us of Barabási’s laws: while individual performance matters, having the right connections and timing can amplify achievements and lead to extraordinary success. The quest for greatness is not just about what you know but also how you connect with others who can elevate your voice and vision.
