For the last 25 years or so, right across Mexico and Central America, Antonio has helped shape and guide the fortunes of many of the region’s most powerful brands – with his passionate energy, creativity, insight and his critical out-of-the box stratgeic thinking. Today he shares some of what drives him, what keeps him on-the-edge and how he has managed to remain ‘true to himself’ within the competitive, fast-paced world of global business.
About my Life Mission | Make a Difference
My Definition Of Success | Success for me means finding meaning and purpose in what I do. Achieving coherence between my values, my principles, my passion and my actions. At the end of the day, that what I do matters, that it has a positive impact on people´s lives and makes the world (even if it is in a little tiny bit) a better place.
I Am Driven By | Passion, curiosity and always wanting to do try new things. Things which have never been done before.
My Highlights | In my personal life I had to overcome many challenges. I had dyslexia and attention deficit disorder, but at the same time I had a very high IQ which made me skip grades many times. So coping with change, making friends and living a contradictory reality where in one hand I was very smart, but in the other I could not concentrate and get good grades, was really hard. So I am very proud for having made it all work, through lots of hard work, determination and the love and support of my family and friends.
In my career I feel very proud of having been one of the most senior Mexican marketers globally in Unilever, having started as a trainee that knew absolutely nothing about marketing. And in that journey having done what was thought impossible many times.
The Magic in me Originates From | My stubbornness, and just never taking no for an answer. Since I was a kid I believed, and I still do, that anything is possible.
The Difference Between Good And Great | Passion, purpose and meaning.
A Key Talent | Creativity
Principles, Values and Ideologies I Live By | Values are a tricky subject. Because I believe they are personal, they represent that which is important to you. And to be a value they have to be good, they have to build life. For me, love, friendship, honesty, dedication and generosity are some of my higher order values. I consider myself an existentialist. I firmly believe in the human race and it’s intrinsic force to do good. I believe in freedom and accountability as two sides of the same coin. I believe in human capitalism, and the obligation that corporations have, to look after their people, their societies and the planet. I believe in children as the super-heroes who will save our world from ourselves.
How I Use My Mind | I divide my world into the factual world – which is made up of the things that happened, from which I learn and from which I can mentor. And the possible world – the world of the future, where all is still to be written, where anything is possible. That is a space which requires curiosity, imagination and creativity. I think it was Disney who said, in order to achieve something, you must be able to dream it first. And then I plan. I draw a flight plan like a pilot. A straight line between where I am and where I want to go. I know it will never be that simple and that I will constantly be pushed off course, but having that plan allows me to return and eventually to reach my destination. Not having a plan is a plan for failure. And then I execute, flawless and impeccable execution….because the devil is in the detail, as we say in Mexico.
Or like Mandela said, “Vision without action is just passing time”
Lessons I Have Learnt |
That family always comes first
That optimism goes a long way.
That no mater where you are, remain humble
It´s never too late to learn nor to change
To get over my mistakes. Learn what I can and move on.
That you are a spiritual-physical-rational being and all 3 dimensions need looking after.
To build meaningful relationships. They will make and keep you happy.
That suffering is unavoidable but it teaches us things
Dealing With Doubt | Firstly, I try to understand where that fear or self-doubt is coming from, to see if it is rooted on reality or if it is just my mind playing games on me. If it´s real, I take action, I work at whatever I need to improve to be at par. If it´s not real, just realizing it takes much of the stress away. And I am realistic, some things will always make me a little bit afraid and it´s good, it means I´m trying new things.
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | I read, I write, I talk with experts on many fields, I pray. I talk with my wife, I talk with my children, my friends. I try to always study something new. I work on my sculptures, I exercise, I fly my remote control airplanes.
My Future Dreams And Ambitions | The same ones I´ve had all along. Be happy, do good, make a difference. Be the best version of myself as often as possible
The Best Advice I’ve Received | Never do to others what you don’t want done to you
Advice On Building Wealth | Follow your passion, don´t follow the money
I Am Inspired By |
My father
My mother (each in it´s own different way)
Fighters like Mandela or Gandhi who fought with ideals not bullets
Visionaries like Richard Branson who despite all adversity never gave up on their dreams.
