From Skills to Master Behaviors

Why sustained coherence in action matters more than ever

For decades, we used the term soft skills to describe capabilities related to communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, ethics, or teamwork. The intention was to distinguish them from technical skills, but the result was often counterproductive: it unintentionally minimized their true importance.

There is nothing “soft” about holding an ethical line under pressure.
There is nothing soft about leading with humanity in uncertainty.
There is nothing soft about regulating yourself when the environment pushes you to react.

Over time, the language began to change.

The first evolution: human skills

We started to speak about human skills. This shift was meaningful. It acknowledged that these capabilities were not secondary or optional, but essentially human, and that decision quality, leadership, and long-term performance depend on them.

This new language corrected an important semantic mistake and helped revalue dimensions that had long been overshadowed by what was technical, measurable, and immediate.

Yet even this evolution left an important gap unresolved.

The real break was not about capability, but about behavior

As contexts became more complex, volatile, and demanding, a deeper truth emerged:
the real problem was not knowing what to do.

It was being able to sustain how we act when doing so comes at a cost.

Highly capable people often collapsed under pressure.
Others, without exceptional skills or credentials, managed to remain grounded, coherent, and consistent in adverse situations.

The difference was not knowledge.
It was behavior.

This realization marked a decisive shift: from focusing on skills to observing human behaviors. It was no longer enough to develop capabilities; what mattered was what people actually did when certainty disappeared, recognition faded, or pressure increased.

But even this concept remained too broad.

Not every human behavior sustains coherence.
Not every behavior resists pressure.
Not every behavior prevents the inner fracture many people experience when acting against what they believe.

The next step: Master Behaviors

From this reflection emerges the concept of Master Behaviors.

Master Behaviors are not isolated habits or repeated techniques.
They are patterns of action that emerge when internal architecture is aligned.

They are not imposed; they consolidate.
They are not memorized; they are embodied.

A behavior becomes masterful not because it is theoretically correct, but because it can be sustained in practice — under pressure, with personal cost, and without external applause.

This concept does not describe exceptional people or moral perfection. It refers to trainable behaviors, sustained over time, integrating thinking, emotion, judgment, and action into a coherent whole.

Why this language can be widely accepted

Because it does not invalidate what came before.
Skills are still necessary.
Human capabilities remain fundamental.

Master Behaviors do not compete with them — they integrate and elevate them.

This language gains acceptance because it:

• names experiences we all recognize
• helps us think more clearly about difficult decisions
• allows us to speak about coherence without moralism
• restores responsibility without blame

When a conversation shifts from “which skills are missing” to “which behavior is being sustained,” something changes. The dialogue becomes more honest, more human, and more transformative.

The challenge of our time

We live in an era of constant pressure, ambiguity, and accelerated change. In this context, the future does not necessarily belong to those who know more, but to those who can sustain coherence in action.

That is why developing skills is no longer enough.
We must learn to cultivate Master Behaviors — behaviors that allow us to act without breaking internally.

This may well be the defining human challenge of our time.

 

2025: A Year to Go Deeper

2025 was not a year for speed.

It was a year for conscious pause, deeper observation, and decisions made with greater intention.

In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, produce more, and respond faster, this year invited—and demanded—something different from me: to do better. To deepen conversations, turn ideas into real experiences, and practice leadership from coherence, awareness, and purpose.

Building with intention: One of the most visible milestones of the year was the consolidation of Incrementum Academy, which moved beyond being a project to become a living platform for human development, leadership, and performance. More than programs, what we built were spaces for reflection and action, where strategy meets the individual and results are aligned with meaning.

At the same time, MOTITUD® reached a level of maturity that transformed it into a living framework for reflection, conversation, and practice. Throughout the year, the weekly column From MOTITUD in Pasión País became a consistent point of connection with readers interested in thinking about leadership, life, and decision-making from a more conscious perspective.

Starting in August, that reflection took a collective step forward with the launch of the MOTITUD Meeting Point, an in-person space designed to pause, converse, and reflect as a community. Two editions in 2025 confirmed something essential: there is a real need for deeper conversations, without rush and without noise.

Writing, conversation, and shared reflection; 2025 was also a year of writing and open dialogue. Writing once again became a form of quiet leadership: opening questions, providing context, and accompanying processes of change.

I am deeply grateful to the media outlets that trusted my voice, including Visionarias Business, BRAINZ Magazine, Pasión País and Analítica.com, for creating spaces where critical thinking, human-centered leadership, and strategic reflection continue to matter.

This was complemented by interviews and conversations with leaders and communicators such as Jack Canfield, Kate Butler, Miguel Zambrano, Frank Carreño, Laura Castellanos, Jairam Navas, Laura Lake, Mariana Martínez, Simón Mila de la Roca, Julio Montoya, Robert Veiga, and Mariam Krassner. Each conversation was an opportunity to think out loud, to listen, and to reaffirm that conversation itself is a powerful act of leadership.

And to top it off, I co-authored a chapter in the bLu Talks Book Series — Business, Life and the Universe, Vol. 14 — alongside the internationally renowned author Richard Paul Evans, contributing reflections on leadership, purpose, and human growth.

Experiences that are lived, not just explained. Ideas took shape through programs and experiences such as the Five-Day Intensive Program in Dynamic and Transformational Leadership I gave to a group of executives in Doha, Qatar, the Leadership Lessons from Formula 1, the F1 Experience 2025, the Pathway to Success Coaching Program, and executive and managerial coaching processes for CEOs.

These were not just content sessions—they were experiences designed to generate awareness, clarity, and decisive action.

The year also included moderating and facilitating strategic conversations in spaces such as InnovEYtion, the Venezuelan Toy Chamber Fair, and the anniversary of XTREME E-Sports Academy, among others. In each case, leadership meant listening carefully and asking the right questions.

2025 was also a year of movement. More than 46,000 miles traveled across Latin America, the United States, and the Middle East to teach, speak, accompany professional processes, and honor family connections.

Every route had a purpose. Every trip became a conversation. And the real impact was not only in the destination, but in the journey itself.

Gratitude and clarity: None of this would have been possible without the trust of clients and partners who believed in the work and shared the journey.

Yet perhaps the most important milestone of the year was not external—it was internal.

2025 was a year to review beliefs, let go of inertia, and decide with greater awareness what truly deserves time, energy, and presence, and what no longer does. It was a year of clearer no’s, more responsible yes’s, and leadership practiced from choice rather than reaction.

2025 did not take me further. It took me deeper.

Because real progress is not measured by speed, but by the clarity with which you decide where to go next.

The Energy You Bring Into the New Year

As we prepare to turn the page to a brand-new year, one truth becomes clear:

The energy you bring into the new year matters more than any resolution you write down.

2025 was a year of contrasts. For some, it meant growth, new projects, and bold steps forward. For others, it brought unexpected challenges, quiet struggles, or emotional turning points. But no matter how it unfolded for you, this year has something to teach—if you're willing to listen.

I often say we don’t just live through a year—we’re shaped by it.

By what we did.
By what we faced.
By what we let go of.

That’s why this moment isn’t just about closing a chapter.
It’s about setting the tone for the next one.

Because it’s not just the goals we set that define our future—
It’s the mindset we carry.
The attitude we choose.
And the inner motivation that fuels us.

What is Motitud?

Motitud is the powerful blend of personal motivation, positive attitude, and a growth mindset.

It’s not about toxic positivity.
It’s not about pretending everything is fine.

It’s about showing up with intention, even when things feel uncertain.
It’s about leading yourself forward—especially when the path isn’t clear.

And December is the perfect time to reconnect with that.

This season invites reflection—but also vision.
It asks us to pause—but also to prepare.
To look at who we’ve become—and who we want to be next.

What 2025 Taught Us

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s this:

• We don’t control the pace of the world—
   but we can choose the pace of our thoughts.
• We can’t predict every challenge—
   but we can strengthen how we respond.
• We can’t always lead others—
   but we can always lead ourselves.

And when we lead ourselves with Motitud, we bring:

• Clarity where there is noise
• Resilience where there is pressure
• Inspiration where there is fear

A Thought to Carry With You

Before you rush into 2026, take a moment to breathe.
To reflect. To recalibrate.

Ask yourself:

• What version of me do I want to strengthen next year?
• What energy do I want to bring into every room I walk into?
• What will I no longer carry with me?

And remember this:

You don’t have to be perfect to start strong.
You just need to be intentional.

Final Message

Close this year with gratitude, not regrets.
Step into the next one with clarity, not pressure.
And lead with Motitud—because your mindset is the foundation of everything you will create.

Here’s to a year of purpose, growth, and conscious leadership.

The future is yours to shape.

Shohei Ohtani and the Redefinition of Performance — On the Field and Beyond

Every generation has an athlete who doesn’t just play the game, they transform it.

For baseball, that moment arrived under the bright lights of Los Angeles, Miami or Toronto, on those unforgettable nights when Shohei Ohtani changed everything.

The Nights That Changed Baseball

There are games that make history, and then there are nights that redefine it.
In 2025, Shohei Ohtani turned ordinary scorecards into something eternal.

It began with a season for the ages -the first in Major League Baseball history to combine 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single campaign- a fusion of power and agility that few had even dared to imagine. Power and precision. Speed and strategy. A harmony of attributes the sport had never before seen in one player.

But it was that night in October when baseball crossed into a new era.

In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, Ohtani delivered a performance that defied logic: six shutout innings, ten strikeouts, and three home runs. No player —not Ruth, not Mays, not Bonds— had ever dominated both sides of the game in such total fashion.

It wasn’t just a display of talent. It was a revelation.
That night became a symbol of what modern performance could be - complete, fearless, and limitless.

And then came Game 3 of the World Series.
Ohtani reached base nine times, a postseason record: two doubles, two home runs, and five walks — four of them intentional. His presence alone reshaped the game. The opposing pitchers weren’t just facing a player; they were facing inevitability.

Those nights, luminous, historic and almost surreal, reminded the world why we watch sports at all.
Not simply to see who wins, but to witness what’s possible.

And to top it all off, Shohei Ohtani was announced as the 2025 National League MVP, earning it unanimously and marking his second straight NL MVP and the fourth MVP of his career. He and Aaron Judge also made history together — becoming the first pair of players to win MVP awards in their respective leagues in back-to-back seasons.

Beyond Numbers: The Essence of Performance

Baseball loves numbers: averages, percentages, milestones. 500 home runs. 3,000 hits. A 30-30 season. It is a love affair as old as the game itself.

But in 2025, Ohtani’s brilliance transcended the arithmetic. He achieved something beyond numbers: a synthesis of power and grace that turned statistics into story.

What we saw on those nights was not just execution — it was expression.
He transformed performance into art: the rhythm of his swing, the calm of his wind-up, the focus in his eyes.

There is a human truth behind every record he broke: performance, at its highest level, is not about pressure; it’s about presence.

Ohtani showed us that joy and excellence are not opposites; they are partners.
You can be focused and free, disciplined and delighted, relentless and radiant -all at once.

That’s not just baseball. That’s mastery.

From Specialization to Integration

For more than a century, baseball has celebrated specialists.
Pitchers pitched. Hitters hit. Runners ran. Each lived in a narrow lane of expertise.

Then came Ohtani.

He erased those lanes and built a new road -one that connects every aspect of performance.
He became living proof that greatness doesn’t come from doing one thing well, but from integrating multiple strengths into one complete expression of excellence.

The same is true in life and leadership.
We no longer live in a world that rewards specialization alone.

Today’s leaders -like Ohtani on the field- must blend strategy with empathy, precision with creativity, execution with inspiration.

Those nights were more than performances; they were revelations.
They revealed a new understanding of excellence; one built not on specialization, but on integration.

The Mindset Behind the Magic

What made those nights unforgettable wasn’t just the numbers — it was Ohtani’s mindset.
He played with the calm intensity of a master and the joy of a beginner.

After his record-breaking game, he smiled quietly and said he was just “grateful to be healthy and competing.” That humility —in the midst of greatness— reveals the foundation of his success: a blend of preparation, focus, gratitude, and unshakable purpose.

Ohtani’s composure reminds us that true performance doesn’t come from chasing results; it comes from aligning your craft, your mindset, and your heart.
He doesn’t just play the game — he honors it.

And that, more than any stat, is what makes him extraordinary.

Lessons from the Diamond

Ohtani reminds us that greatness is not one-dimensional; it’s the ability to blend skills, adapt to context, and perform under pressure with grace and confidence. That’s not just a baseball lesson; it’s a life lesson.

From this unforgettable season and those astonishing nights come timeless insights that reach far beyond the diamond:

• Versatility Wins. Adaptability is the currency of the future. Ohtani thrives because he’s more than one kind of player — and in life, we succeed when we become more than one kind of professional.
• Integration Over Isolation. Excellence is no longer about depth alone but about connection — combining strengths into something greater.
• Passion Sustains Discipline. He plays with joy, and that joy fuels consistency. When you love what you do, effort becomes energy.
• Impact Over Output. Four intentional walks in one World Series game — that’s not just fear; it’s respect. In leadership, the greatest measure of impact is how your presence changes the environment around you.
• Purpose Beyond Borders. Ohtani bridges Japan and the U.S., East and West. His excellence reminds us that greatness has no accent — it speaks the universal language of performance.

A New Philosophy of Excellence

The nights that changed baseball were more than moments of triumph — they were lessons in transformation.

Ohtani reminds us that performance isn’t about doing more; it’s about being more. It’s about bringing all of yourself —skill, heart, and spirit— to whatever field you stand on.

He teaches us that the future of excellence lies not in specialization, but in symphony, in the ability to blend strengths harmoniously, pursue greatness without losing joy, and let your work become your art.

Baseball will never be the same again.
And maybe, neither will we.

Because in Shohei Ohtani’s story — in those luminous nights when the game itself evolved — we are reminded of something timeless: that true performance is the place where purpose, preparation, and passion finally meet.

Shohei Ohtani didn’t just have the nights that changed baseball — he gave us a new vision of what human performance can be. And now, with his fourth MVP award, he stands as the new standard of excellence itself: complete, joyful, and limitless.

 

The Champion’s Mindset: Leadership, Performance, and Teamwork — The Dodgers Way

Exactly one year ago, I stood at Dodger Stadium the day the Dodgers won the 2024 World Series in New York. Today, one year later, they’ve done it again — this time in Toronto — claiming back-to-back championships.

Two straight years. Two titles. And one defining constant: a culture of excellence.

In an era where success is often fleeting, the Dodgers remind us that true greatness is not a result — it’s a way of working, thinking, and leading. And repeating a title of this magnitude is nothing less than the natural consequence of discipline, trust, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

1. Culture Wins Championships

The Dodgers are more than a talented baseball team — they are a model organization that lives and breathes a winning mindset. From manager Dave Roberts to the last player on the roster, everyone shares the same vision: play to win, and win together.

Their greatest strength is consistency. While others celebrate one victory, the Dodgers are already training for the next. In sports, as in business, extraordinary teams don’t settle for reaching the top — they prepare to stay there.

“Excellence is not an act; it’s a habit.”
— Aristotle

That principle comes alive in every pitch, every play, and every quiet act of preparation that shapes a champion’s culture.

2. The Power of the Role: Every Player Counts

In Game 3 of the 2025 World Series, the Dodgers demonstrated what it truly means to perform as one. It was a game defined by character, precision, and synchrony — dominant pitching, sharp defense, and timely hitting combined to create a perfect display of teamwork. There were no individual heroes that night; instead, there was a collective commitment where every player knew their role and executed it flawlessly.

That performance captured the essence of a championship culture: clarity, trust, and alignment.
Each player contributed exactly what the team needed, showing that success at the highest level comes from shared purpose and disciplined execution. And it showed again on Game 7, an amazing game that LA won magically on extra innings.

Behind every home run and strikeout lies a greater truth:

A great team wins when every member understands that their effort,

no matter how small, shapes the final result.

From the bullpen to the bench, from veterans to rookies, the Dodgers embodied what high-performance organizations know:

• Clarity of purpose: everyone knows why they’re there and what success means.
• Consistency of effort: they don’t chase moments — they build habits.
• Collective mindset: they celebrate one another’s victories as their own.

That night, the Dodgers didn’t just win a game — they proved that unity, discipline, and shared vision turn talent into triumph. Because in baseball, as in leadership, no championship is ever won alone.

3. Leadership Under Pressure: The Calm of Yamamoto

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese ace, became the heart of the Dodgers’ 2025 championship run. In Game 7 — pitching on just one day of rest — he took the mound and delivered a performance for the ages. Across the Series, Yamamoto threw nearly 18 innings, allowed only 2 runs, struck out 15, and earned a 1.02 ERA — earning him the World Series MVP.

But beyond the numbers, his true contribution was psychological. Yamamoto embodied poise under pressure, resilience, and self-mastery — the traits that define elite leadership.
His calm presence stabilized the team in moments of chaos, and his focus never wavered, even with everything on the line.

In the world of business and leadership, that kind of mindset translates to clarity amid uncertainty, adaptability in adversity, and confidence in execution. Leaders like Yamamoto don’t just deliver results — they inspire belief.

4. Teamwork in Action: Invisible Preparation, Visible Results

The Dodgers exemplify a key truth of high performance:

You win in public what you’ve earned in private.

Behind every highlight reel lies hours of invisible effort — film analysis, data review, conditioning, and team meetings. In business, as in baseball, visible success is built on invisible consistency.
Great teams prepare for pressure long before the moment arrives.

When the tension peaks — the corporate equivalent of Game 7 — only teams that have trained with purpose, clarity, and cohesion can rise to the challenge. The Dodgers’ preparation wasn’t about talent alone; it was about structure, systems, and shared belief.

5. Seven Lessons from the Champions

From the Dodgers’ back-to-back triumphs, we can extract seven principles that apply to leadership, teamwork, and personal excellence:

1. Culture wins championships. Shared values outlast individual talent.
2. Consistency beats intensity. Greatness is repetition, not bursts of brilliance.
3. Leadership is trust. Confidence multiplies performance.
4. Invisible preparation drives visible success.
5. Resilience is trained. Every challenge strengthens character.
6. Innovation anticipates change. The best teams adapt before they must.
7. Believe before you win. Faith in purpose precedes achievement.

6. Motitud: The DNA of High Performance

What truly sets the Dodgers apart is not only their technique, but their attitude — a blend of conviction, focus, and positive energy. It’s what I call Motitud: motivation, positive attitude, and an unshakable growth mindset.

A team with Motitud never gives up — it reinvents itself.
A leader with Motitud doesn’t seek excuses — they seek solutions.
And an organization with Motitud doesn’t just win once — it builds a legacy of excellence.

Conclusion: The Culture of a Champion

Watching the Dodgers lift the trophy for a second consecutive year is more than witnessing a sports victory — it’s witnessing a timeless truth:

Extraordinary results come from preparation, consistency, and collective belief.

Whether on the field, in the boardroom, or in life, success doesn’t depend on luck — it depends on the daily decision to improve. That is the real lesson of performance and leadership this team leaves us. And that is also the essence of Motitud:
to believe, to create, and to grow — until you win again.

How to Make the Most of the Last Quarter of the Year

The calendar reminds us of something powerful: today marks the beginning of the last quarter of 2025.

Three months. Ninety days. Twelve weeks.

Some see it as the closing of a cycle; others, as the last opportunity to sprint toward goals that seemed unreachable. And for many, it is a strategic springboard: a key moment not only to finish strong, but to prepare the ground for a new beginning.

The last quarter is more than just a closing period. It is a time where reflection, action, and vision converge:

• Reflection to look back and acknowledge what has been achieved.
• Action to focus on what can still be accomplished.
• Vision to project yourself into the new year with clarity and intention.

Most people underestimate this final stretch, believing that the important part of the year has already passed or that the time left is not enough. The truth is, if you take advantage of it with discipline and focus, these 90 days can become the most transformative of the year.

1. Review Your Achievements and Learnings

Before looking ahead, take a moment to recognize what you’ve accomplished.

• Which goals have you reached?
• What lessons have emerged from challenges?
• What can you be grateful for?

Celebrating progress, no matter how small, fuels motivation and renews energy.

2. Reframe What’s Pending

We all have projects that were put on hold or goals that didn’t move forward. The last quarter is not about doing everything, but about focusing on what is critical and strategic. Ask yourself:

• Which actions will have the biggest impact if I complete them this year?
• What can I let go of or delegate to free up mental space?
  
  

3. Double Down on Focus

Time is limited, and this is the moment to use it with intention. Simple tools like the Eisenhower Matrix or the 3 daily priorities method can help you maintain clarity.

Remember: focus beats dispersion.

4. Prepare 2026 Starting Today

Close this year with your eyes on what’s coming. Reflect on:

• What seeds can I plant today to harvest in January?
• Which habits do I need to strengthen before December ends?

The year doesn’t end in December — it begins in October. What you do now is the prologue of your 2026.

This is not about racing against the clock, but about using these 90 days with clarity, discipline, and purpose.

👉 Ask yourself: What achievement do I want to proudly celebrate on December 31st?

The best time to start is today.

Luis Vicente 

The Glass, the Perspective, and the Choice

 One afternoon, in the middle of a busy day, a colleague casually asked me the classic question:

—“So how do you see it, Luis? The glass half full... or half empty?”

I laughed. Not out of mockery, but because that simple phrase —one we’ve heard since childhood— keeps echoing through our lives. A question disguised as a game, but one that holds a far deeper truth than it appears.

The Moment of Choice

Imagine yourself standing before a glass of water. You look at it. The line marks exactly halfway.

If you're tired or frustrated, you might think:

“I already drank half. There's not much left.”

If you’re excited, you might say:

“I already have half a glass! There’s still plenty to enjoy.”

But there was a moment in my life —not too long ago— when I realized both answers were incomplete.

The Glass is Neither Half Full Nor Half Empty

The glass is refillable.

That simple shift in perspective changed everything.

It’s not about what you have or what’s missing.
It’s about realizing that you have the power —and the responsibility— to fill it.

With intention. With choices. With purpose.

Between Complaining and Creating

Sometimes we live as if life, work, others —or even luck— should fill our glass for us.
And when that doesn’t happen, we get frustrated, stop, or blame external circumstances.

But in leadership —as in life— the essential understanding is this:
No one is going to fill your glass for you.
It’s up to you to choose what you fill it with:

With learning, empathy, action, vision, and gratitude.

A Simple Story

I once sat in a meeting where a team was discussing disappointing results.
There were excuses, blame, complaints.
Until one team member quietly said:

“What if instead of focusing on the half-empty glass… we look at how we can fill it together?”

That small comment shifted the entire energy of the meeting.
Because sometimes, what we need isn’t a miracle solution — but a new perspective.

The Real Question

So now I ask you, with full honesty:

Are you waiting for your glass to fill on its own?
Or are you actively seeking ways to fill it yourself — every day — with the best you have to offer?

Final Thought

Because in the end, the glass is your life.
And what you choose to do with it… that’s your leadership.

Fill it with what truly matters.
Fill it with purpose.
Fill it with actions that inspire, transform, and leave a mark.


Luis Vicente