If there was something that defined Gilberto Mendoza throughout his life, it was his ability to serve as a guiding voice for those around him, as well as his remarkable capacity to deliver powerful lessons in his public appearances. For that reason, we have compiled several excerpts from some of his most memorable speeches.

Excerpt from the Opening Speech

WBA Convention – Bangkok 1998

“Dear friends, the three groups of people mentioned in the metaphor of the sandcastle represent the three types of responses that organizations must face when confronted with the need for change in the complex world we live in.

The first group is composed of those who have not yet recognized the need to change. They remain stationary and live in the past because their ship is still anchored in the same port where it first departed. Their members believe that what they do today is good enough and sufficient to reach tomorrow. They are frozen in time and paralyzed by the status quo.

The second group of people recognizes the need to constantly improve what already exists. They are not anchored to yesterday’s success. They are never satisfied. They always strive to keep the ship in optimal condition for navigation and therefore seek the most modern and efficient designs available in maritime technology in order to improve the current level of service and remain competitive.

The third group is focused on the future. They are committed to creating new scenarios. They understand that even if they improve and continue operating successfully, they could someday be left out of the game. They also recognize that the users of tomorrow’s services may not even resemble the users we have today. These individuals from the third group remain constantly occupied dreaming about building what our future could become.

Now I invite you to reflect on some conclusions.

I believe we can all agree that the first group is already out of the game. Let us then focus on the remaining two. To make things easier, let us ask two questions—two forward-looking questions about what we believe we must do.

Should we improve what we already have?
Or should we create what we do not yet have?

The answer is yes—twice.

In other words, we must do both. If we only do one, we will certainly fail. If we do not organize ourselves to make quick decisions and stay close to our users, we will lose portions of the market to our competitors. Even worse would be becoming satisfied with our current level of achievement and concluding that everything is fine, leading us to feel comfortable and fulfilled while failing to create anything new.

If that happens, I assure you we will crash on the highway to the future.

What I want to say is that we need balance between continuity and innovation. One cannot exist without the other. Both are essential. I dare say they are indispensable for survival.

Before concluding these brief remarks, I would like to mention the three types of leaders that exist.

There are those who prefer short-term results without having any clear idea of where they are heading in the future. On the other hand, there are those who design wonderful plans for the next ten years but find themselves out of business in ten months.

Finally, there are those we could describe as capable leaders—those who pursue short-term results without ever losing sight of the future.

Unfortunately, there are very few of this last kind. Yet they are precisely the ones we truly need. It is a shame, but it is our reality.

In our hands we have the opportunity. We can improve what we already have, and we can also create what we do not yet have. I am certain we have the ability to do both.

Let us answer yes—twice—because yes, we can improve, and yes, we can create.”

Speech at the Solemn Session

National Sports Mass Day
Turmero, January 6, 2004

“There are two types of people in this world: those who act like the Dead Sea, receiving without giving, and those who give—who offer the best of themselves and remain fresh and vibrant by sharing and serving others.

We want to emphasize service, good deeds, and giving the very best of ourselves to bring harmony and help overcome limitations.”

Speech at the Special Session of the Mariño Municipal Council

Sports Day
September 29, 1997

“My fellow athletes, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, my final recommendation is simple: love your life, promote sports, and serve your country. Practicing sports is serving the nation.”

Speech at the Solemn Session of the Girardot Municipality

Sports Day
Maracay, June 19, 2003

“Beyond its importance for physical, psychological, and intellectual development, the practice of sports helps foster discipline, goal-setting, a competitive spirit, a sense of belonging, loyalty, and honesty. It is also a key tool to keep children and young people away from drugs, vice, and crime.

Sports have had, continue to have, and must always maintain a mission of active presence and participation in the socio-political sphere as a vehicle for communication and positive understanding among human beings.

Sports have managed to overcome barriers of belief, nationality, language, political systems, religion, race, color, and social condition, among many other limitations, because it is an activity that belongs to everyone and is meant for everyone.”