The Race to Fly: What It Really Takes to Win

James Smith, Executive Director

As someone who’s spent most of his life in leadership roles — from mayor to Chamber director to small business owner — I’m always looking for the lessons that history has to teach us. And one story that’s stuck with me for years is that of Samuel Pierpont Langley and his famous loss to two unknown brothers from Dayton.

It wasn’t Langley’s attempt at success that inspired me — it was his failure.

He had the money. The credentials. The press coverage. He was expected to be the one to solve the mystery of human flight. But in the end, it was Orville and Wilbur Wright, two bicycle mechanics with no formal education and no major backers, who made history.

The more I studied this story, the more I began to see its relevance — not just to innovation, but to leadership, entrepreneurship, and community building. I’ve drawn 5 lessons from that race to the sky, and I’ve seen every one of them play out in my own journey — at the Rohs Opera House, in City Hall, and now at the Cynthiana-Harrison County Chamber of Commerce.

1. You Don’t Need All the Resources — You Need a Real Reason

Langley had everything: funding from the U.S. War Department, access to the brightest minds of his time, and media attention. But his motivation? Recognition. He wanted to be in the history books.

The Wright Brothers had none of that — but they had purpose. They were obsessed with flight, driven by curiosity and a belief in what could be.

In my world: When we bought the Rohs Opera House, we didn’t have deep pockets or industry connections. What we did have was a shared purpose: to breathe life back into a piece of Cynthiana’s soul. Our vision wasn’t about profits — it was about building a destination that brought joy, art, and community together. That purpose still fuels us today.

2. Stay in the Game Longer Than the Rest

Langley made two failed attempts and gave up. Nine days later, the Wright Brothers flew.

The difference? The brothers kept going. They tested, repaired, failed, learned, and kept trying.

I'm sure we've all faced setbacks. Whether it was securing funding for something or pushing through a change, some initiatives take years. But stay the course. The ones who succeed are the ones who don’t quit at setback #2… or #12.

3. Ignore the Hype — Do the Work

Langley had the press following his every step. The Wrights worked in obscurity. No one expected them to succeed — which may have been their greatest advantage. They were free to focus on the work, not the performance.

At the Chamber, we’ve quietly been building something special over the years. Membership is up, more than triple in the last decade. Events are stronger. Our community programming is expanding. And while we’re proud of that momentum, it wasn’t built on flashy headlines. It was built on hard work, deep listening, and daily effort behind the scenes.

Same thing with the Rohs — we didn’t wait for national attention to evolve. We added ghost walks. Hosted songwriter showcases. Transitioned to digital projection. Not for praise, but to stay relevant to the community we serve.

4. Excuses Are Easy — Results Are Earned

Langley had every excuse: the tech wasn’t ready, the weather was bad, the critics were loud. But excuses don’t fly.

The Wright Brothers faced more challenges than he did — and still figured it out.

As Chamber Director, we're often working with businesses facing real obstacles — workforce issues, rising costs, tight competition. But the businesses that thrive are the ones that adapt instead of complain. In basic training for the Army, my drill sergeant would always make the point that "the maximum effective range of an excuse is zero!" An excuse for not achieving a goal was not going to be accepted...so don't make one! I learned the lesson well and have tried to live it in all aspects of my life.

5. Do It for the Right Reasons

Langley wanted his name etched in stone.

The Wrights wanted to unlock the sky.

Why you do what you do matters. When we created Leadership Harrison County, it wasn’t to check a box — it was to build future leaders for our town. When we organize events like the Summer Concert Series, it’s not about turnout alone — it’s about building a sense of belonging.

What's your "why?"

Final Approach

The story of the Wright Brothers reminds me — and hopefully reminds you — that you don’t need to have it all to make an impact.

You just need:

• A clear purpose

• The grit to keep going

• A willingness to ignore the noise

• A refusal to make excuses

• And a reason that matters more than recognition

Success isn’t reserved for the most resourced — it’s reserved for the most resolved.

So whether you’re trying to launch something new, grow something old, or simply stay inspired in the dog days of summer — let this story lift you up.

The sky isn’t the limit. It’s just the beginning.