Lessons from Spain & Sports

Europe has always captivated me with its charm, and Spain, in particular, stands out for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, architectural wonders, and, of course, its culinary delights. During one of my family vacations, we were traveling by coach from Madrid to Seville—a journey that offered more than just beautiful views; it taught me a lesson for life.

As we cruised along the motorway, I noticed something unusual: there were no boom barriers at the tolls. Yet, our driver dutifully stopped at each one, paid the toll, collected the receipt, and continued. After six hours on the road, curiosity got the better of me, and I asked him why he bothered paying when he could have easily skipped a few. His answer was simple but powerful: “I always pay the toll because I want my country to grow.”

Think about that for a moment. Here’s a man, likely from a modest background, who chooses integrity over convenience, even when no one is watching. He understands that his small, everyday actions contribute to the greater good—helping his country thrive, one toll at a time. This reminded me of another powerful story from Spain, involving the great Spanish runner Iván Fernández Anya.

In December 2012, during a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre, Fernández was right behind Kenyan runner Abel Mutai(Olympic medalist), who mistakenly stopped just before the finish line, thinking he had won. Fernández had the perfect chance to overtake him and claim victory, but instead, he did something extraordinary. He shouted at Mutai to keep running, and when that didn’t work, he guided him to the finish line himself.

When asked why he didn’t seize the opportunity to win, Fernández replied, “My dream is that someday we can have a kind of community life where we push and help each other win.” He knew the race belonged to Mutai and that a hollow victory would have been meaningless.

So, what can we learn from these two anecdotes?

1. Integrity Over Short-Term Gains: True leadership and success come from making ethical decisions, even when it’s easier to take shortcuts.
2. The Power of Community and Collaboration: Just like Fernández helped a competitor, we thrive when we support each other, fostering stronger, more cohesive teams.
3. Redefining Victory: Success isn’t just about winning; it’s about how we win—ethically and responsibly, creating a legacy that we can be proud of.

As we have just finished watching the Paris Olympics, let’s remember that sports isn’t just about physical competence—its about values that go beyond the playing field and apply to every aspect of life. Whether in management, personal life, or nation-building, let’s strive to be like the coach driver and Fernández—champions of integrity, collaboration, with a more humane approach to success.

Join my training sessions for more such insightful anecdotes, in addition to concepts and activities in order to exercise critical thinking, build your capacity, and develop competence. Keep learning and growing with 3T.