We Avoid at all Costs

We Will Avoid These…..Make sure you demonstrate to us with your actions and not your words that  you do not practice the following:

Cultural traits and historical context can have a significant impact on a society's progress. It's important to approach this question with nuance, as these are complex societal issues. Here are some of the key cultural and societal aspects that are often cited as potential barriers to reaching higher professional and economic growth.

1. Smart A$$  (Indigenous Cunning)

This is a widely recognized concept. It refers to a type of cleverness or street smarts used to navigate a complex system. While it can be a tool for survival, it can also manifest as a tendency to find shortcuts, bend the rules, or operate in a way that prioritizes personal gain over collective well-being.

• Why it can be a barrier: This mentality can breed a lack of trust in institutions and other people, making it difficult to build strong, transparent systems and long-term partnerships. In a professional context, it can undermine collaboration, ethical behavior, and the rule of law, all of which are essential for a modern, competitive economy. It can also lead to a culture of informality and corruption, which hinders economic development and social mobility.

  
  

2. Cronyism and Hierarchical Society

Some Societies are often described as hierarchical. This means that a person's age, social position, or family connections (rather than merit) can determine who gets respect and opportunities. This extends to professional and business life, where "palancas" (leverage or connections) are often more important than a candidate's qualifications.

• Why it can be a barrier: This system can stifle innovation and prevent the most talented people from rising to the top. When promotions and opportunities are based on who you know rather than what you can do, it disincentivizes hard work, skill development, and excellence. It can also create an exclusive business environment that is difficult for outsiders and new ventures to penetrate.

  
  

3. The "Ley del Mínimo Esfuerzo" (The Law of Minimal Effort)

This is a cultural attitude that can lead to a lack of ambition or a tendency to do just enough to get by. It's tied to a more relaxed perception of time ("hora típica") and deadlines.

• Why it can be a barrier: While a relaxed approach can have its benefits, in a professional setting, this mentality can hinder productivity, punctuality, and the drive for excellence. It can lead to a lack of urgency and a general acceptance of mediocrity, which is a major disadvantage in a competitive global market.

  
  

4. A Short-Term Mentality and Lack of a Savings Culture

Historically, many countries have faced significant instability, including political violence and economic crises. This has created a mentality where saving for the future or investing in long-term projects can seem risky or even futile. The focus is often on the immediate present.

• Why it can be a barrier: This mindset can prevent the accumulation of capital needed for long-term investments in education, business, and infrastructure. It makes it difficult to plan for the future, whether at a personal or a national level, and can contribute to a cycle of economic and professional stagnation.

  
  

5. Negative Self-Perception and External Influence

For decades, Colombia's international reputation has been heavily influenced by drug trafficking and violence. This has led to a negative national self-image and a feeling that Colombians are somehow "less than" or incapable of reaching the same level as developed countries. This can manifest as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

• Why it can be a barrier: This negative perception can affect professional confidence and ambition. It can also make it more difficult for the country to attract foreign investment and talent, as companies may be hesitant to invest in a place they associate with risk and instability.

6. Total Lack of Initiative

Having initiative is crucial because it is the driving force behind progress and personal growth. It's the ability to take action independently, without being told what to do. This quality is highly valued in all aspects of life because it moves a person, a team, or a project forward, especially when faced with uncertainty or new challenges.

Why Initiative is so Important

• It Drives Innovation: Initiative is the starting point for all new ideas and solutions. It requires a person to not just identify a problem, but to take the first step toward solving it. In a business context, employees with initiative are often the ones who find more efficient processes, develop new products, or identify new market opportunities. Without this proactive mindset, organizations and individuals stagnate and fall behind.

• It Builds Self-Reliance and Confidence: When you take the initiative, you are relying on your own judgment and problem-solving skills. This strengthens your ability to handle new situations and builds confidence in your own capabilities. It transforms a person from a passive follower into an active contributor.

• It Creates Opportunity: People who show initiative stand out. They are seen as reliable, resourceful, and committed. This often leads to more responsibilities, promotions, and new opportunities that might not have been available otherwise. It signals to others that you are capable of more and are willing to take on challenges.

• It Fosters Leadership: Initiative is a fundamental trait of leadership. Leaders don't wait for permission; they see a need and act on it. By taking the initiative, you are demonstrating your ability to lead, inspire, and guide others toward a common goal, even if you are not in a formal leadership position.

7. Not Asking Questions

If you expect us to explain everything to you so that you are well informed, you are in the wrong place. We operate on the basis that people will actually learn valuable things if they ask questions, not expecting others to spell everything out for you. We do not have a crystal ball to know what it is that you need to know. For that you need to ask questions, and the more specific the better. This also allows us to not waste our time in meaningless conversations. 

“Those who ask questions are ready to listen and learn. “

“Those unwilling to ask questions are unwilling to listen to anything you say whatsoever.”

One way of seeing it. 

"I was struck by the irony of a teacher who claimed to be 'listening' while her eyes told a different story. It’s a powerful lesson in how success is not just about what we say, but about the example we set. A so-called teacher who doesn’t practice what they preach will ultimately fail to inspire their students to do the very thing they’re meant to learn."

Second way 

"There is a deep irony in the exchange with a teacher who, when asked if she was okay, responded 'I am listening,' yet her eyes were entirely absent. It was a profound reminder that true teaching is a practice of being, not just of saying. How can a student learn to be present from a teacher who is not? It makes you wonder how a disconnect like that can exist in the world, where the very act of not listening becomes the unspoken lesson."

Third way

"The experience highlighted a powerful paradox: a teacher who, in a moment of personal interaction, demonstrated the opposite of a core educational principle. The disconnect between her words ('I am listening') and her nonverbal cues was a stark reminder that authenticity is fundamental to effective teaching. When educators fail to model the behaviors they seek to instill, their students learn to value rhetoric over action, a lesson that undermines the very purpose of education."

8. About Words and Actions

We have the firm belief that words are often used by people to lie, deceit, BS because people don’t mean what they say, spoken or written. It takes a lot of skills to detect this behaviour at the right time. 

Actions on the other hand speak volumes of you and your true intentions. Good or bad. Actions cannot be fake or show a lie. They are always inline with your intentions. At GAWK we value actions over everything else. 

And to prove this theory, we just dismissed someone from the project that with his actions demonstrated the above. 

If you align with our way of thinking, you can reach out to us. If not, this is what we want to avoid at all costs.

We do not accept resumes, only Linkedin links, if we can see you in action great, if not, please prepare a 30-40 minute video showing you performing your work so we can see evidence of your actual self in action. We will make a decision based on the evidence we see (Trust for us is literally see to believe), and not so much about your words. 

Have a great day.