¡No fue suerte! | Pablo Torres | TEDxUEES

Quick Overview

The speaker argues that success, exemplified by his own journey in customs brokerage, is not based on luck but on the consistent application of core VALUES: Vision, Attitude, Leadership, Organization, Risk-taking, Teamwork, and Service, which he applied during personal and national crises like the divorce of his parents and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points: Success is derived from adhering to core VALUES (Vision, Attitude, Leadership, Organization, Risk, Teamwork, Service), not luck. The speaker started his customs brokerage business at 21 with his brother, eventually growing it to be the largest in Ecuador. He cites a personal challenge where he faced corruption after realizing the customs agency had a fixed rate that covered all their expenses, which he refused to participate in. The speaker credits his success to his values, which helped him navigate personal difficulties, like his parents' divorce when he was young. He emphasizes that his company's success, even during the economic crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic, was due to their disciplined adherence to these values. The speaker learned that true success is about what you are inside and what you give to others, not just material gains or status. He contrasts his approach with that of competitors who were too traditional and unwilling to take risks or invest in new systems.

Context: Pablo Torres delivers a TEDx talk titled "¡No fue suerte!" (It wasn't luck!) at TEDxUEES, sharing his entrepreneurial journey in the customs brokerage industry in Ecuador. He centers his narrative around the acronym VALORES (Values), which he claims is the true origin of all possibility and the foundation of his success, contrasting it with the notion of relying on luck or external circumstances.

Detailed Analysis

Pablo Torres argues against the idea of luck being the primary driver of success, insisting that his achievements in building the largest customs brokerage firm in Ecuador were due to living by a strict set of VALUES, which he defines through an acronym: V (Vision a largo plazo y con propósito), A (Actitud para ver los problemas como desafíos), L (Liderazgo basado en valores), O (Organizar y desarrollar personas), R (Riesgos con responsabilidad), E (Equipo capacitado y con tu misma visión), and S (Servicio con obsesión por excelencia). He recounts early life challenges, such as his parents' divorce when he was young and financially strained, which forced him to work hard from a young age. He details his professional start at 21, working alongside his brother in the brokerage, and later establishing his own firm. A pivotal moment involved confronting corruption within the customs agency, where he refused to pay bribes, stating he would not negotiate his values. Despite initial difficulties, including the pandemic and economic crises, his company thrived because they focused on internal values rather than external factors like luck. He concludes that success is ultimately about character, what you give to others, and disciplined pursuit of your vision, not just wealth or status.