When is failure worth celebrating. And when it’s not!

( In spanish / En español )

Two different types of failure and how to treat each type.

Let’s agree that “failure” means:

• “not achieving a goal within the set time frame”.

Type of failure #1: Failure in something that happens punctually. We achieve it now or never (or not for a long time).

Examples:

• The prototype had to work at the fair, but we couldn’t get it to work.
• The national football team had to reach the final rounds, but they didn’t make it.

Type of failure #2: Failure in something that is continuous. We achieve it now, or we keep working tomorrow, which we can also achieve, or the day after tomorrow, or the next one.

Examples:

• We wanted to achieve a 30% market share this quarter, and we only reached 25%.
• The Real Zaragoza wanted to be in promotion positions by Christmas, but they aren’t.

In punctual failure, the problem is that we won’t have another opportunity until next year’s fair or the next World Cup. There’s no possibility of progress, next year it won’t make sense to take my prototype to the fair.

In continuous failure, we can see tomorrow what we change to achieve the goal, or maybe we don’t need to change anything and just need to give ourselves more time. It depends on how we’re measuring progress.

Failing in something “now/never” is critical because it’s a final. You can/should give everything to the point and then recover. Failing in something “continuous” is not critical. It should serve as a control point to correct course or adjust efforts/expectations.

Money can’t buy me love

Working for money will never allow you to buy love.

If you only offer money, don’t expect to find commitment.

The Beatles sang it: “Money can’t buy me love”.

If all I offer is money, it’s impossible to retain the right people.

Of course, I have to pay fair market salaries, but beyond that point, paying more doesn’t guarantee retaining the best professionals.

The best professionals will prefer to work on better projects or in better environments.

If the only thing I use to retain people is money, time will make my team composed only of people who are primarily motivated by money.

The first step is to pay fair salaries.

Beyond that, I should strive to provide better working environments and growth opportunities.

When given a fair salary, do you prefer to earn more or work better?

If you’re not happy with the outcome of the game, change the rules.

If you’re not happy with the outcome of the game, change the rules.

Since I started going to work by tram or walking, I’ve forgotten how stressed I used to get while driving. The other day I found myself feeling overwhelmed behind the wheel. And I realized that I was playing the wrong game. I was playing the game of “get there as fast as possible,” switching lanes, rushing to catch the amber light, honking at cars that weren’t moving fast enough.

I wasn’t happy with the outcome of the game, so I changed the rules.

And I started playing the game of “enjoying the journey.” I started noticing new works, the sun on my face, and the skull statues on Paseo de la Independencia.

Did I arrive later? Maybe two or three minutes later.

But I definitely arrived with a better attitude to face work.

I wasn’t happy with the outcome of the game. I could try to play better. But the best option was to change the rules.

A leader MUST be a part-time cheerleader

Bosses doesn’t need to motivate. Neither do managers.

But leaders do need to motivate.

You can take a horse to water but you can’t make him drink

If I want people to follow me, they must want to go where I go.

If I want people to walk as fast as me, they must want to do it.

And if I am lucky enough, my team will be composed, one hundred percent, by passionate professionals who are totally aligned about the destination, the path and how to march.
But most of the time it won’t.

So a part of the work of the leader is to motivate the team.
Even a passionate professional totally aligned with the destination, the path and everything else, will be overwhelmed during a crisis, or affected by personal issues or affected by external pressure.
And the leader can’t wait until the team adjusts itself to do the best work. The leader needs to get the best out of every member of the team, every time.

The role of a cheer-leader is easy when your team is winning. Everybody in the stadium is cheering up, rooting for the team. You don’t really need a cheer-leader when all is going fine.

But when your team is losing, oh, my! Then a good cheer-leader can make the difference, getting the people in attendance back on loudly supporting the team.

Motivate is always good. But it’s a MUST when things are not going properly.

Hint: (Mission Impossible vs The Magnificent Seven) So The Visionary arranges a team that can fulfill the vision. He transmits the vision to the team. And he puts on his best work so the team can fulfill the vision. So a team that need guidance hires The Expert for guiding them through this road. The Expert doesn’t need to agree on The Vision, but knows how to get there.

Bonus Track: (Being under pressure) Pressure can be a motivator. You could turn this pressure into fuel to meet a deadline, in the same way a steam-powered engine turns pressure into motion. But no piece of machinery can overwork for a long time. Too much pressure and the engine will break.

New Year’s concert and the best way to start the year

New Year’s concert from Vienna, through Eurovision on January, 1st, it’s been a long-standing tradition for years.

Best qualities from New Year’s concert:

• Good chance for getting closer to classic music
• Not so much to see on TV on that day
• Must-see scenarios (besides the Golden Hall in the Musikverein, both the documentaries and the ballet is recorded on great settings)
• A top-orchestra conducted by a world-class conductor
• Good way to deal with last night’s hangover

You could say that other concerts can provide this or similar experience any other time of the year.

Orchestra, people in attendance, conductor, pieces, everything varies and everything keeps the same

The right reason why the Newyear’s concert is a must-see is because it provides a shoot on optimism and energy. The rithm and the power in all those marches and polkas, sets the best starting point for a season of working. Twelve months all full with days, and the waltzes and the ballet, shows us the beauty and harmony that can be reached by a good teamwork, training and effort.

Beauty on the dance and the stage

New Year’s Concert sets the bar to our work and at the same time it gives us courage, optimism and eagerness to face the challenges in the next twelve months. For being better than our past-year’s self.

Have a good New Year, full of challenges, changes and effort.

Hint: A powerful combination to impulse best work. We understand and truly believe that everyone did the best job they could […] As a person with more power than the people who work for you, It is your fault […] assuming goodwill is not only more productive. Trust pays.
Bonus track: On the magical power of establishing goals and deadlines. A deadline is, simply put, optimism in its most ass-kicking form. It’s a potent force that, when wielded with respect, will level any obstacle in its path.