I have my own explanations regarding Brazil’s win as the host of the 2016 Olympics. Maybe behind my logic lies an idealistic baby boomer, and if that idealism does exist, that’s great. I never want to lose it.
Are we going to buy the Brazilian representation that went all the way to Copenhagen? Do you remember who the Brazilians that represented the country in Denmark were? I don’t remember them all, but I remember that the president of Comitê Rio-2016 Carlos Nuszman was there, along with secretary Carlos Roberto Osório. Lula and Marisa looked emotional. Pele, and Hortência, the eternal muse for basketball and the minister of sports were present. The governor Sérgio Cabral, the mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes, João Havelange, César Cielo. Of course our Olympic winning swimmer Paulo Coelho, and the president of the “Comitê Paraolímpico,” Dayane dos Santos. The sailor Isabel Swan, and many, many others. Of course we probably exaggerated our presence a bit, typical of Brazil. But what does matter is that we didn’t board a plane at the last minute, arriving two hours before, as Obama did. I’m sure he had his reasons, but he didn’t act as if he really wanted to host the Olympics.
I remember that many years ago when I was starting my company, Grupo Foco, I was told to go speak to a Belgian consultant about a possible partnership with a large multinational here in Brazil. This consultant was going to speak to three other potential partners, and then make a decision.
Of course I was nervous. I wanted the partnership. I prepared thoroughly, and went to meet the consultant, who turned out to be really intelligent. When the interview ended, I felt uncomfortable. I was better than I had managed to convey in my presentation. I knew I hadn’t done very well in the interview. I couldn’t get over it. The consultant had told me which hotel he was staying at. I didn’t have any doubts: I called the hotel, and asked to speak to him. I explained that I was better than my presentation, and that I really wanted the partnership. I asked for the chance to speak to him again. Sure, he must have thought I was a little crazy, but he agreed to meet with me again. I was thrilled! When Marnix and I met again, it was excellent! We really connected, and kept laughing. The partnership wasn’t founded on anything other than our own enthusiasm and goodwill.
What does all this have to do with the Olympics? Well, Brazil really wanted to host the Olympics. And I feel they employed the necessary creative rage to earn it. The rage that propels you, that moves you towards action.
When you really want something, you can’t arrive in the country two hours before everything starts. Obama talked about how important the Olympics were for Chicago. Brazil expressed how the Olympics would be an incredible and joyful experience in Rio.
What does all this have to do with Generation Y and businesses? It seems that generation Y needs to show just how much they want to be part of businesses (video). It’s not just businesses that need youth. Young people also need the experience gained in these organizations, even if they do end up becoming entrepreneurs later, that is if the business doesn’t manage to retain them.
Young people need to show that they have this creative rage, this will, this desire to learn, to collaborate, to interact, and to belong. These are the skills that businesses need and want to see. This passion for life, the tenacity, overall commitment, and the crazy will to get it right, the humor of the carioca, and emotion which seeps out of one’s pores.
Gen Y needs to show that “Yes, we care.” That’s much more important than “Yes, we can.” But does Gen Y actually care?
