In recent days, the video of the new NIKE campaign went viral on social media – Winning isn’t for everyone – Am I a bad person
While watching the video, I immediately projected myself into my forties, when, at six or seven years old, I participated in my first judo competition at the pre-primary school called Lobinho. My parents report, and I remember some flashes, that at the moment of the bow that precedes the start of the fight between the judokas, my opponent simply started to cry and gave up fighting me. The reason: my "angry kid" face – or, in the case at hand, my "bad person" face
This personal and real story is not about my little friend's reaction, that perhaps didn't even like judo, or any desire of mine to harm him and other minor opponents. It also does not mean that it honors, sportsmanship and integrity are left behind in the pursuit of victory as the only thing that matters. This does not mean victory at any cost. What prevails, yes, it is the personal sacrifice, the focus on the goal to be achieved and the determination to never give up
Let's go to the reasons for this context
Since I got to know the profile assessment instruments created in the 1940s, I came to deeply understand this significant passage in relation to my behavior and its reasons. Because always wanting to surpass myself and be the best at everything I do is definitely a strong point of my personality and is an innate characteristic. I have never settled for second place, third position; even less with the elimination in the first fight. Things that, by the way, numerous events occurred over more than a decade fighting and competing in tournaments in the city and state of São Paulo at the time. As it happens with anyone throughout life in sports, in the study, at work, entrepreneurship… Anyway, for the "most people", there is no other way. There is no plan B
Before proceeding, I emphasize that I do not wish to address any business aspects regarding NIKE and its operations, brands and team. Just calling on those who read this article for a reflection
Since when? And more, why is it bad to want to be the best
Around the world and especially in Brazil, aim for the top, the victory, profit is often considered something bad. They say that those who desire are arrogant or selfish, not empathetic and aggressive, among so many other negatively connoted adjectives
It is preferred to exalt the tears of defeat and embrace the defeated rather than to exalt the confidence of those who express that the conquest of victory is their only goal; always. Winning or losing
The other day, I watched a contemporary philosopher saying that it is easy to empathize with the failure and defeat of others; what is truly difficult is to rejoice in the success and achievements of others. And that on this occasion, in which some success is achieved, when you do very well, you will know who your true friend really is. Until then, I hadn't thought about that situation from this perspective. It's very interesting to imagine who would genuinely resonate or not with your achievements. Perhaps that is the mental mechanism that condemns many of us to be the "bad people". Maybe it's envy, repression. Sigmund Freud explains
There is also the aspect of collectivism from a social perspective, philosophical, economic and religious, that emphasizes that we are interdependent, what opposes individualism in all areas of life, putting aside the disputes and achievements of individuals, even though this is the smallest minority that exists, that is, each one of us as an individual. Ayn Rand explains
Other variables are Latin American culture, through which the virtue of achieving everything one desires through merit and individual effort is not disseminated in society, be a sports victory, a car, a house, a new professional or business position
This combination of factors results in a perverse situation among the "good people", that almost nothing is under your responsibility as an individual, outsourcing mistakes, failures and unmet results to others
Long before having children, I decided not to, this should no longer be perpetuated. At least not in my family. Even less in my company. I believe that NIKE, in a way, will contribute to changing this mindset, wishing that other companies also, brands and people reinforce the idea that we need to not only instigate desire, how to exalt the vocation of winning. It is certain that this is not for everyone. And it's all right
I conclude by reminding that these "bad people" are those who, in the most diverse areas, not only in sports, they have led and continue to lead society to reach new heights as civilization and humanity. I usually say that, if it weren't for these people, we would be living in caves to this day. You have already understood my point and thought of some names and events that changed the world through someone's calling to challenge the status quo, achieve the unthinkable, or until then impossible
So, the next time you encounter one of those "bad people" in person or on social media, procure, before labeling, remember that it is not about you at all. It's about what this person wishes for herself
Particularly, I am neither a fan nor a big user of sports product brands, but I admire NIKE's vocation for victory and its business history. I loved this movie
Could it be that, therefore, I am a bad person
