Daisuke Utagawa credits his time as a dishwasher for setting him on the path to world-renowned restauranteur. Why?

In a recent interview on NPR's Studio 1A chef Daisuke Utagawa was asked if there was a pivotal moment or experience that shaped him into the successful restaurateur he is today. His answer was both unexpected and profound: lessons learned from his early days as a dishwasher.

Utagawa shared that his career in the culinary world began in the 1980s, humbly working as a dishwasher at a sushi restaurant. It was there, behind the scenes, that he gained a unique perspective on what customers truly liked—and what they didn’t. By paying close attention to the plates coming back to the kitchen, some completely clean and others half-eaten, he began to notice trends. He saw which dishes diners gravitated toward and which ones left them underwhelmed.

I love this reminder of how valuable insights often come from the most unexpected places, far from where high-level decisions are made. While the chefs above him were creating culinary masterpieces, Utagawa had a front-row seat to the reality of how those creations were received. He wasn’t just cleaning plates; he was analyzing the unspoken feedback left behind on them.

Utagawa's story reminded me of the four behaviors my friend Connell Nolan promotes in his work at Banner Health:

• be curious

• dissect excellence with the same rigor you investigate failure

• monitor data and intervene when trends emerge

• recognize the effort and progress of teams

Utagawa embodied these behaviors long before he became a renowned chef. His curiosity led him to observe and reflect, and his insight helped him spot emerging trends in what worked and what didn’t on the menu.

In my experience, across various industries, the most actionable insights are often discovered on the frontlines, far removed from boardrooms or strategy sessions. Yet, so many organizations lack the structures to recognize and elevate these valuable perspectives. The organizations that do, however, cultivate a culture of self-awareness and humility.

Utagawa’s story is a powerful reminder that the “lowliest” roles may hold the richest wisdom.