Conversation between José María Álvarez - Pallete and Rafa Nadal (Opening Ceremony of enlightED 2021)

SPEAKER_2 (0:03)

Welcome to the EnlightED Podcasts, the worldwide conference that focuses on the challenges of education in the new world. Driven by Fundación Telefónica, IE University and South Summit, it gathers leading experts in education, technology and innovation.

What role do values play in learning and training? How important is the human component in the current technological revolution? Discover the vision of two stars from the world of business and sport, tennis player Rafa Nadal, and Telefónica chairman José María Álvarez-Pallete in a conversation moderated by Eva Fernández, Telefónica's director of communications.

Eva Fernández (0:53)

We have a magnificent entrepreneur who at the same time is a great athlete, and we have a magnificent athlete who at the same time is a great entrepreneur. Both are a reality of the necessary balance between educating the mind and the body. I think it's the best example, congratulations to the Congress, of what multiple intelligences are, and above all, and above all, and I assure you, we are facing two great people.

To be great professionals, it is always necessary to be good people. José María, let's start with you.

José María Álvarez-Pallete (1:27)

Well, first of all, Majesty, Minister, authorities, friends, a pleasure to be here.

Thanks to South Summit, thanks to the empresa institute for accompanying us.

We are looking for examples, first of all, our parents, then our teachers, our friends, then our jobs. And the examples are always of professionalism, of knowledge, of knowledge, but also of behavior. It always motivates you more to follow or admire someone in whom you recognize apart from talent, apart from capabilities, a way of being. And I believe that it is a way of being what we are looking for, to be inspired by people who teach us, apart from something concrete, a way of doing it. We are convinced that it is as important what you are doing as how you are doing it. And in that sense, I believe that values, working with values, leading our lives with values, makes us better. And I believe that there, probably at this moment, I am one of the most envied people in Spain because I am with Rafa, which is a clear example.

Rafa Nadal (2:43)

Well, good afternoon to all, Majesty, Minister, the rest of the authorities, and well, colleagues who have accompanied us today. For me it is also a true honour, thank you for the invitation. My answer would be no. I mean, it is not necessary to be a good person to become a great professional. However, if you are a good.

If you have the capacity to surround yourself with people who will help you to be better in every way, both professionally and personally, I think that without a doubt you will have more options to succeed. In my case, in particular, all my life I have had people around me. Obviously, the support of my family and the connection with my family has been indispensable to grow in all aspects of my life. Obviously, I am a typical person in this world of sports, who has been keeping the same team since I have a team. And the fact that this is the case makes it possible to establish a relationship of trust.

That allows them to say things to me with total freedom, without fearing for their job position. And in the end, I think it's one of the best decisions that I have been able to make in my career, to have people by my side who have the predisposition or the capacity to say things to me as they are, without having to think how or when to say them. I think having an ability to self-criticise is vital in order to progress. I have never tried to be or never wanted to be a model for anyone. So that those who believe it and want to take it as an example, welcome to be. And those who believe that I am.

Not doing well, obviously everyone is free to decide what their own models are.

Eva Fernández (5:33)

Today we are in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators, many of whom are surely starting their professional careers, are restoring their priorities. What would you say to those who are thinking that it is very easy to talk about values and ethics as you have spoken, because you are already at the top.

But that they think that to get to that point you have to open your way to big things? Rafa, let's start with you now.

Rafa Nadal (6:03)

Well, I would probably say that they are wrong. I think it is much easier to open your way by clinging to people and knowing how to surround yourself with good people, as I said before.