Jose Ruiz

For the first time in three year Bill Gates is not the richest man in the world. The top spot in Forbes list is occupied by Carlos Slim and not surprisingly the sentiment in Mexico is negative. People are mad. Why? What is wrong with us?

I know the arguments. The way Telmex was acquired and the fact that it’s a virtual monopoly that has been benefited by the state could be valid. But consider this: Telmex had revenues of 9 billion while America Movil (Telcel) was at 26 billion and Telcel was a late comer in the mobile phone market in Mexico. Yes, Telmex propelled him. But Telmex is not what is keeping him at the top of the Forbes list.

There is great merit to what the guy has done and I’m not defending him. There is probably a valid argument for everyone to be questioned. Nobody’s road to the top of the list is clean. Bill Gates is certainly not exempt. The Walton’s have their share of controversy. Walmart is not considered an icon of social responsibility. Yet we all want to read about them and probe into the details of their business success. Slim? No. Corrupt capitalist pig?

Why the animosity? The anger?

There is a tale told in Mexico of an old man who was walking on the beach with two buckets, one open and the other covered. A young boy approached him as he was walking, looked at his wares and asked, “What’s in the bucket?” The man smiled and responded, “Crabs,” to which the boy said, “I can see that, but what’s in the bucket that’s covered?” The man smiled again and said, “I told you, crabs! Both buckets have live crabs!” The baffled boy wondered why one would be covered while the other one would be open if both carried live crabs, so he asked. The old man’s voice cracked as he let out a deep laugh and replied, “Boy, the crabs in the covered bucket are Japanese crabs. They start climbing on top of each other and help each other out of the bucket. The open bucket, on the other hand, has Mexican crabs. They don’t need the cover. Once one starts climbing trying to escape, the others just pull him back in.”

 I know it rubs some people the wrong way but we really don’t show otherwise.  Don’t kill the messenger.

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Economy, Leadership, Mexico Executive Search Carlos Slim, Jose Ruiz, Mexico, Mexico Executive Search, Recruiter