Vamos criar governos de alto desempenho | Guilherme Trivellato | TEDxUFOP

Summary

In this thought-provoking speech, the speaker draws a compelling comparison between high-performance athletes and government institutions. Reflecting on their own career shift from sports rehabilitation to consulting for governments, they highlight the importance of focus, routines, and commitment in both realms. The speaker argues that governments, much like elite athletes, must set clear goals, maintain discipline, and continually improve to achieve real results. The speech challenges political systems, particularly in Brazil, to adopt a high-performance culture that prioritizes citizen well-being and measurable outcomes, urging governments to create lasting, positive change for society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on their childhood memory of watching the Brazil vs. Italy match in the 1982 World Cup, focusing more on emotions than the game itself.
• 😀 Despite the loss and elimination in 1982, the Brazilian football team became known as one of the best in history, and their dedication has been a source of inspiration for the speaker.
• 😀 The speaker's career began with working in sports rehabilitation, later transitioning to consulting for governments, focusing on the health of institutions as well as individuals.
• 😀 A recent global survey revealed that trust in governments is alarmingly low, with only 2% of Brazilians expressing high confidence in their national government.
• 😀 The speaker highlights a growing sense of disillusionment with democracy in Brazil, where two-thirds of the population believes democracy is not functioning well.
• 😀 The speaker's personal and professional transformation involved shifting focus from individuals to institutions, raising the question of what governments can learn from athletes.
• 😀 Two key problems the speaker identifies between individuals and institutions: governments often suffer from 'hyperactive paralysis' and lack institutional memory, similar to a person suffering from a physical trauma.
• 😀 A government that fails to act based on data, like a body lacking proprioception after a trauma, risks making poor decisions and losing direction.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for governments to adopt a more results-driven approach, drawing inspiration from high-performance athletes who set clear, specific goals and continuously strive for improvement.
• 😀 Three lessons for governments from elite athletes: the importance of a clear, ambitious focus, commitment to routine and disciplined implementation, and the continuous drive for excellence without complacency.

Q & A

What was the speaker's earliest memory of sports and how did it impact them?

The speaker's earliest memory of sports was watching a football match between Brazil and Italy in the 1982 World Cup. The event, full of emotions, left a lasting impression, inspiring the speaker to pursue a career working with athletes and eventually transitioning to government consultancy.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'spasms' to government dysfunction?

The speaker compares the dysfunction in governments to muscle spasms, where governments, under increasing pressure, try to handle too much at once, resulting in 'hyperactive paralysis'. This state leads to ineffective actions despite being busy, much like the physical limitations caused by spasms.

What does the speaker mean by 'loss of proprioception' in the context of governments?

The speaker refers to 'loss of proprioception' as governments losing their 'sense of direction' due to a lack of clear, coordinated data. Just as a person injured in a trauma may struggle to move confidently, governments may struggle to make informed decisions due to poor data integration and analysis.

Why is a government’s focus on data and evidence so important?

A government's ability to make effective decisions depends on its ability to connect and interpret data, rather than relying on political pressures. Without this, decisions are often misguided, as seen in cases where governments lack knowledge of crime patterns or the effectiveness of policies.

What are the similarities between athletes and governments, according to the speaker?

Both athletes and governments face challenges related to focus, routine, and commitment. Athletes have a clear vision of success and a disciplined approach to improving daily. Similarly, governments need focused goals, regular routines, and strong commitment to overcome challenges and achieve effective results.

What is the role of routines in achieving high performance in both sports and governance?

Routines, though often overlooked, are essential in both fields. For athletes, routines allow them to fine-tune their skills, while for governments, routines help identify issues early, ensure timely action, and enable effective decision-making by maintaining a steady flow of communication and action.

How does the speaker emphasize the importance of setting clear goals for governments?

The speaker illustrates the importance of clear, specific goals by contrasting a vague government goal of improving citizens' lives with a more targeted approach, like reducing anemia prevalence in children. Clear goals help focus efforts, guide decision-making, and foster collaboration across various sectors.

What lesson does the speaker believe governments can learn from elite athletes?

The speaker believes that governments can learn the value of focus, commitment to routines, and relentless pursuit of improvement from elite athletes. Elite athletes have a clear vision of success, commit to continuous improvement, and focus on measurable results, qualities that are equally important in governance.

What is the significance of 'high-performance governments' in the speaker’s view?

High-performance governments are those that maintain ambition, focus, and persistence even when challenges arise. They prioritize results, invest in people and communication, and continuously improve based on feedback, much like athletes striving for excellence.

How does the speaker contrast the mentality of athletes with that of people in government?

Athletes have a relentless drive for success, constantly pushing themselves to achieve more. In contrast, the speaker points out that governments often suffer from complacency, with some individuals seeking stability rather than striving for improvement. However, the speaker is optimistic about governments that prioritize a high-performance culture.