The Unexpected Opportunity Cost - Chapter 7: Words of Iron
Chapter 7: Words of Iron
By Sergio Cano | Bitacorastudios - La vida real profesiones
Summer did not wait. In the blink of an eye, the fruits of spring were nourished by a copious rain. In an almost poetic way, June took it upon itself to return, all at once, all the water that the rest of the year had withheld, unleashing a storm that imbued the city with an atmosphere worthy of a gothic suspense novel.
That afternoon, Mateo returned from work soaked from head to toe, but wearing a smile that contrasted with the gray tone of the city. From a distance, one could perceive how that smile radiated a vivid yellow around him, infecting anyone who crossed the young man's path.
"Good afternoon!" he would say upon crossing paths with any stranger, and with each person he encountered, that smile grew larger. He felt such happiness in his "gut" that he couldn't contain it; it was as if it overflowed on its own.
A few hours earlier, upon arriving at work at 6:00 a.m. as was his habit, he met the owner, a man already up in years—honest, hardworking, and kind-hearted—who in his time gave the boy the opportunity to prove to the world that he could change with his first job as an upright man. No one knew Mateo better, for it was precisely he who had sent the boy to jail for stealing bread some time ago; thus, he had been a front-row witness to the young man’s transformation. Don Joaquín explained to Mateo that he had decided to retire and wanted him to take over the shop.
That news filled him with pride, for it was the perfect reward for his efforts. A well-earned promotion, because since the boy made the first deal with Don Joaquín for the liter of milk and started with his "20-second" ideas for anything in the store, he did nothing but look for ways to make everything more efficient.
"Don Joaquín, what do you think if we put the coffee flavors closer to the machine?" Mateo suggested on one occasion. "That way they'll be more likely to choose them than if they had to ask for them at the counter like always."
"Don Joaquín, how about we put a sign outside with the tray of bread from the end of the day so the less fortunate can take them and not spend the night on an empty stomach? We’re going to throw it away anyway."
Ideas like those made significant changes in the store, increasing sales and reducing waste. Additionally, there were fewer thefts; the people who took the bread didn't feel the need to steal, and on the contrary, their presence outside the premises at night scared off any hoodlums.
With all the happiness he felt, Mateo bought a second-hand shirt to celebrate the occasion and mark the beginning of his new position. He remembered that Don Elías always said: "If you want a garment to look impeccable, go to Luciano. He understands the importance of a well-cared-for attire, which not only protects from the environment but can provide value and security to the wearer, thus also protecting them from emotional inclemencies."
So, without a second thought, he paid a visit to a man who, through Don Elías's stories, he already felt like a friend even without knowing him in person.
"Good afternoon, Don Luciano?"
"Come in, boy! How can I help you?"
"You see, I come here on Don Elías's recommendation."
Luciano smiled, leaning on the counter.
"Say no more, I already know who you are. You're Mateo, right?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"That old man does nothing but talk about you. And besides, his circle usually hovers around seventy years old! So it's not hard to identify the only young man he hangs out with enough to tell him about this shop—which, by the way, is one step away from being recognized as the city’s nursing home, since only old people frequent it."
"Not at all, rather than old, I would call them connoisseurs," Mateo replied with a laugh.
"That's it, boy! I like you already. So, what brings you here?"
"Well, I just received the news that I’ll be left in charge of the store. Since the budget is tight but I want to celebrate, I bought this shirt at the second-hand shop. According to Don Elías, if there's someone who can return the shine to things, it's you, and I want it glowing for Monday."
Luciano took the shirt, inspecting it with an expert eye.
"You won't just shine; you're going to dazzle people, boy. Count on it."
"What are you carrying in that bag?" Luciano asked, pointing to a bundle in Mateo's hand.
Mateo untied the paper bag. "They're some chocolates. You know, for a while now I’ve been passing by the fountain and I saw a girl selling gum regularly. The other day Don Elías gave me a hundred pesos so that I could make a change, and I decided to help her so she could go back to school. Those hundred pesos allowed me to buy her gum, and now they’re sold in the store as 'gum with a purpose'; they cost more than the normal ones, but people know they’re doing a good deed. This afternoon the girl approached me and brought me this box of chocolates. She told me that from the money I give her, she had been saving a little until she could buy a box, and now she wants me to sell it in the store so her little brother can also go to school."
Mateo sighed; his enthusiasm was slightly dampened by doubt. "I took it, but I’m not sure this is the best path. If I only limit myself to selling them trinkets, they will never escape poverty. And I don’t want that girl to settle for crumbs. I think it’s not enough to change the girl's mentality—that one is already transforming, and she will surely transform her brother’s. I think those who have to change are her parents. If I keep selling their children’s sweets, I’ll only generate dependency on me, and they are the ones responsible for the children. Besides, more than looking out for their economic security, they must see that the ideas of growth prevail; if not, they will vanish at the first problem."
Luciano listened attentively, nodding. "I like your attitude, boy. That’s how the greats think. But that’s going to be difficult. I know the father. It turns out that from time to time I need someone to help me carry clothes from the shop to the laundry center. I usually have full-time employees, but when there’s too much laundry, I employ the girl's father. The truth is, he’s someone who 'gives up quickly.' I pay them per trip, and sometimes I have more than one, but he settles for one and leaves because 'he’s already tired.' The mother tries to work wonders by stretching that money, but I’ve never seen her try to get a job. If you’re going to talk to them, you must be prepared with a plan, not a sermon. They’ll already feel like you’re rubbing their poverty in their faces. Now, if you explain to them that their poverty is due to their lack of perseverance, they’ll surely kick you out of the house."
"If I’ve learned anything from Don Elías, it’s that the right words can move gears rusted by disuse," Mateo said thoughtfully. "It would do me a great favor if you gave me the address," Mateo added, charged with a seriousness that had an air of final decision.
"Sure, and here, leave that box of chocolates with me. What do you think if we put it here on the counter with one of your signs? That way you’ll have two points of sale for your 'sweets with a purpose,' and you’ll be able to help more people," Luciano said, making space.
"You are a great person, Don Luciano. I appreciate it."
"Nothing to thank, boy. You reap what you sow, and you’re doing well, so you’re going to find many people willing to help you. There is only one thing better than helping the helpless, teaching them to help themselves. And that is exactly what you are about to do. Don’t forget to tell me how it went."
Upon leaving, Mateo went directly to the girl’s house. It seemed as if he feared his determination would vanish with time, so he wanted to settle that talk as soon as possible.
Upon arriving, he found a house plunged into extreme poverty. Right at the front was the clothesline with the girl’s freshly washed uniform; the mother, carefully, had placed some plastic bags as a canopy to protect it. Mateo knew instantly that the mother truly felt pride in what her daughter was doing.
He knocked on the door decisively and it was the little brother who opened it. Behind him appeared the mother, in clothes so old they looked like they would tear at the first touch. Mateo introduced himself and the mother invited him in immediately. He could notice that the house was clean and things were in order. That made him understand that the mother was a responsible person, which made him wonder what was going on then.
"What brings you here, young man?" the mother said, while pulling over an old chair patched everywhere.
"Thank you very much," Mateo said, as he sat down, sketching a smile. "I don’t know if your girl told you anything about me, but I’m the boy who buys her gum and sells it in the shop."
"Of course, I know perfectly well who you are. Clara doesn't stop talking about you. She’s very grateful to you, you know, and she sees you as an example to follow."
Mateo sketched a smile. Clara, what a perfect name for the first light that turned on and illuminated the darkness of this family, he thought.
"I, for my part, am also extremely grateful to you for having given my daughter an opportunity to study, something I never had and that, for the same reason, I hadn't even considered for my children, as I always thought that wasn't for us. My family was born poor, just like my husband's, you know? And our parents taught us that the less you want, the less you suffer for your lack."
Mateo sighed, understanding it all. It wasn't a lack of interest; it was a paradigm of incapacity and poverty rooted in the parents' depths that was behind the problem.
"I appreciate your sincerity very much, ma'am," Mateo said, as he took out a package of ham and a bag of bread he had brought from the store. "Look, I brought you this small detail for the intrusion into your home."
"You didn't have to bother, you’ve helped us a lot already," the mother said, embarrassed.
At that moment the door opened behind them and the girl's father crossed the threshold.
"Welcome," the mother said, pointing to the young man. "The young man who helped Clara is visiting us."
"Ah, how are you, young man? Welcome to our humble home. We are poor and the truth is we have many lacks, but the little we have is at your disposal."
Mateo looked at the man and said: "You know what would really help me a lot? If you give me a couple of minutes. In those minutes, allow me to speak without interruptions, and when I finish, then you can tell me what you think."
"Of course, it’s the least we can do for you," both parents said.
"I am no one to come to your home and talk about good or bad actions; I only know that I am someone who received a second chance, probably even undeserved, and who knows how important the way of thinking is in our actions and in how life goes for us. I can tell you from my own experience that it was the words of the old man in the park that made me open my eyes, and today I ask for these minutes not to judge you, but to try to make you see that there is a different life out there at your disposal if you are willing to fight for it. You know, there is one thing that worries me a lot, and it is that in your children the seed of change is already germinating. They are already starting to have dreams, especially Clara. She has learned that there are ways to have the time to go to school—something that, according to your own words, you thought all your lives was not for you. She is starting to spread that seed in her brother, and today she went to see me leaving school and brought me a box of chocolates so I could help her sell it so her brother can also study. That shows she understands that things are not free, but with the right strategy they can be achieved. My old mentor made me understand that one sees things as one wants, and I would like you to understand that, despite your circumstances being extremely difficult, there are hidden opportunities and things can be yours if you fight for them. Luck is not defined at birth; luck is forged with effort, with achievable goals that do not drown dreams, but foster them with each achievement reached. That is how I have lived these last months and it is a constructive cycle that takes you higher and higher—and I'm not just talking about an economic improvement, but an emotional one; each time you dream bigger and each time you dream of people feeling what you feel in your 'gut,' that emotion and that happiness. One would want the world to feel it and I would like you to be infected by this, to understand that your own dreams can nourish those of your children, but your insecurities can end up extinguishing them. If you do not break with that paradigm that you have been carrying in the family for so many years, your children will live exactly as you do, and by the pride I can feel in your words when talking about Clara and the immaculate care of her uniform, I can perceive that you want them to prosper. That growth must start in you as the foundations of this family. Forgive my intrusion and for crossing a line that probably invades not only your home but your pride, but my intention is not to humiliate you, but on the contrary, to make you see how much you are capable of, and everything that you 'deserve,' contrary to what you believe. You have health and you are good people; if you only believed more in yourselves and in the fruits of effort, I know you would do great things. Today I passed by Luciano's shop and saw that he has some work. That little bit of money, well managed and invested, surely can make a change. I tell you this as someone who started with a hundred pesos and today can give Clara her gum money and also I’ve been able to save five hundred pesos. Now I’m thinking how to invest them better, because if I keep reinvesting them in gum, the profit will be very little. I believe that if I reinvest them in something else, I’ll be able to generate more profits. If you agree, I would be delighted to see with you how to grow that little extra money you manage to earn, what do you think?"
The parents kept silent for a while and Mateo feared the worst. For an instant he thought that the father would kick him out, just as Luciano told him.
However, when he finished, the mother burst into tears and the father could only say: "Thank you very much. Not for the offer to help me with ideas to invest the extra money I make, but for telling us that the things out there can be for us—as silly as it seems when one is inside this circle of deeply rooted conformism, one doesn't see the opportunities, because as my wife told you, our parents taught us not to desire so as not to suffer. What has really convinced me is not your argument but your story; the fact of coming from someone in an equal or more difficult situation makes me believe that I can too. I assure you that I will take as many trips as possible with Luciano and as soon as I have a bit saved, I will go to you and I will take your word; we will look for how to make it grow."
Mateo's eyes grew moist, but the boy kept his composure and all he could respond was: "Thank you for believing in me. I know the responsibility I just took on and I am willing to fight to make every word I’ve said count."
Upon leaving Clara's house, the afternoon was beginning to give way to the night. He knew it was late, but he didn't want to go home without paying a visit to Don Elías and telling him how everything turned out.
Upon arriving at the house, he found the lights still on, which encouraged him to knock.
"Come in!" Don Elías responded from inside, while coughing several times.
The young man entered and the first thing he said was: "How can it occur to you to say 'come in' without knowing who it is and, even worse, how can you have the door unlocked?"
"What is the worst that can happen? That some hoodlum sneaks in?" Don Elías asked, while laughing and coughing again.
"I’m not a hoodlum, if that’s what you mean, but I know how to be one, so don't push me, because at any moment I’ll take the toaster and run out," Mateo said, laughing.
"Mateo, you don't know how good your visit makes me feel. I needed that laugh to regain my strength."
"It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in the park, what happened?" Mateo said, worried.
"Nothing, it's just the aches and pains of age, you know, we old people get sick from everything, but this will pass, you’ll see, soon you’ll see me in the park as usual."
Elías was lying to himself. He knew this wouldn't pass; in fact, it would probably get worse, but the boy didn't need to worry. He was there to bring hope to Mateo, not to hinder his progress.
"And what book are you reading now?" Mateo asked with curiosity, while pulling a chair over to Don Elías's bed.
"Ah, it's not a book. I finally took out from its packaging this old planner and this pen that have waited decades in the dark."
"And why didn't you take them out?"
"You know, my wife gave them to me when she was still alive, just before we separated because of my excess of work and the little attention I paid her."
"You? But you're the most attentive person I know and the one who best balances his time."
"But that hasn't been free, boy; it's the result of countless mistakes. As I told you, mistakes are opportunities to learn and improve. What you see today is the improved version of a young man eager for success and recognition who didn't know how to give time to the important people in his life and sacrificed everything for a dream, neglecting reality. I’ve always been an inveterate reader, so in the few times I spent time with my wife, I wouldn't stop telling her my stories and she would tell me: 'When will you write yours?'. To which I always said: 'One of these days, you’ll see'. She would smile, though she knew that would probably never happen. Just before we separated she gave me this planner and told me: 'I know that one day an uncontrollable inspiration will come to you and that day you won't wait to have the time to write, but you will make the time—use this planner. Half has a calendar where you can book the days you need to write and the other half has a notebook where you can write your book'. I kept it for years—first because it was a very difficult memory to face; it didn't just remind me of the absence of the person I loved the most and at the same time neglected the most. Then, when I finally found the courage, I simply didn't have a story worthy of being written in such a valuable notebook and I didn't want to write in any other, since I owed it to my wife to write my first book in her planner."
"So you already found what to write?" Mateo asked with emotion and genuine interest.
"No, actually the book found me," Don Elías responded, looking at him, sketching a smile. As usual, Mateo didn't understand that he was talking about him.
"And you can't tell me what it's about?"
"Not for now, but one day you’ll see, I can assure you of that."
"Come on, give me something," the boy said.
Elías said: "Well, I’ll tell you that I’m in Chapter 7 and I’m thinking of titling it 'The Power of the Word that Builds'."
"Go on, that doesn't tell me anything—it’s probably coded with your inveterate poet verses anyway."
"I’m sure you’ll understand them soon," Elías said, while putting the notebook back on his nightstand.
Thus they spent more time chatting and laughing. Mateo took the time to tell him his exciting adventure and Elías felt his heart explode with pride. As he had well said, his days as a teacher had ended; the boy was becoming a teacher to others, a true leader.
Upon saying goodbye, Elías promised Mateo that he would soon see him in the park and Mateo, as always, believed in everything he said.
Before leaving, Elías said to the boy: "Take the hundred pesos from my wallet. That money will be for diversifying. Tomorrow buy something that isn't candy and take it to Aurelio. Tell him to please help us sell it at the law firm."
The boy didn't even try to reject the money anymore. He knew that for anything he said, Elías would have something grandiloquent to tell him and that he wouldn't be able to refute it. Besides, the old man's idea was excellent: not everyone eats candy, but there are other things they consume.
"In my next visit to the park, tell me what you bought."
I have to reach the end; I owe it to the boy, to my wife, and to myself.
🚀 Next Steps in Leadership
1. The Power of the Word: Assertive Communication
In today's lesson, Mateo teaches us that leadership is not exercised through shouting, but through "Words of Iron." Getting Clara's parents to listen without feeling attacked is the highest level of assertive communication. This week, identify a difficult conversation you’ve been postponing. Don’t go with a sermon; go with a plan. Remember: The right words can move gears rusted by disuse.
2. The Awakening of the Master: The Legacy of the Planner
Prepare for the next installment. While Mateo expands his impact, Don Elías has begun writing in his wife's old planner. In Chapter 8, we will see how Mateo attempts to "diversify" Elías's investment in unfamiliar territory: Aurelio's law firm. Can Mateo maintain his essence in the face of the ambition of new lawyers? The story is just beginning to be written.
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3. Connect with the Community
While the next chapter is being written, I invite you to explore these articles from my repository that connect with today's essence:
🗣️ [The Power of Body Language: How to Communicate Effectively without Words] – Mateo needed more than words to convince Clara's father; he needed presence and confidence.
🏛️ [Can You Be Stoic in a Chaotic World?] – Mateo's ability to remain calm in the face of the parents' poverty and despair is pure Stoicism in action.
🤝 [Developing Soft Skills for Success in Component Engineering] – Negotiation and empathy are the core competencies that define the leaders of tomorrow.
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