Enrique Aboitiz Mendieta
July 2021
Beliefs evolve with time and information. What was wrong 30 years ago is no longer so. What was right 30 years ago is being questioned.
Pre-marital sex 30 years ago was wrong. Today, it is commonplace. Standing up during a meal was wrong 30 years ago and, today, people going on WhatsApp over a meal is commonplace. Perhaps the words “right” and “wrong” are not really applicable. Perhaps we should move to “acceptable” and “unacceptable”.
Beliefs evolve. Values do not. They are our roots. All kinds of institutions espouse many values.
In my experience, and from what I have learned, there are common values for the successful — the successful individuals, institutions, companies et al. I see these values to be the following and in this order. Now, the order that I place is not really of importance but in sequence.
1. Trust.
It is the glue that allows enterprises of any kind and relationships of all kinds to operate effectively and efficiently. Without trust, one will have a difficult time being lean.
2. Timely Adaptation To Change.
If one does not change, one dies — that I doubt any will have an issue with. If you change too early it will cost too much if you are a business while your peers will kick you out of the room if it is personal.
3. Work Ethic.
There is an argument on work smart versus work hard but, at the end of the day, long, hard hours make all the difference in the world. Strategy is about doing what others cannot better and smarter than most.
4. Different.
Being the same as the rest reduces the appeal for whatever you are selling be it produce, a service, or an idea, with the latter mattering the most.
5. Pragmatism and Common Sense.
Doing what works has to be that simple: what works? Get things done. We live in a world distracted by “baloney”.
We are here to do things better and in better (smarter) ways. The guidance for success is not new and is all over history.
I think that they are contained in this letter.
Let’s get things done. In reality, little else matters but getting things done and leaving things better than the day before as often as possible.
