Learning from History: Earthquakes, Empires, and Rebuilding

Hey there,

It’s Yoela, this time checking in from the sun-soaked streets of Lisbon, where the only thing more addictive than the pastéis de nata (seriously, you don’t want to know how many I’ve had) is the city’s jaw-dropping beauty and ridiculously rich history.

I've been meandering through its ancient quarters, catching up with friends who've jumped on the "Portugal-is-home-now" bandwagon, and let me tell you, this place is a history buff's dream. Imagine a startup, but instead of crashing in 5 years, it’s been pivoting for centuries. Wild, right?

Portugal was the OG of global exploration. We're talking 15th and 16th centuries, way before TikTok made travel influencers a thing. These guys were the first to establish colonies and trade networks across Africa, India, and the Americas. Talk about first-mover advantage.

But here’s where it gets really interesting (and where my startup brain starts making those classic founder analogies): being the first mover doesn’t mean you’ve locked in long-term success. Early traction can fizzle if you don’t keep innovating.

Portugal had it all—visionary leadership (shoutout to Prince Henry the Navigator), cutting-edge tech (those caravels were basically the SpaceX rockets of their day), and a global network with access to cash that would make any startup jealous. Fast forward a few centuries, and suddenly they’re playing backup to Spain. And let’s not forget England and the Netherlands—the only colonizers we Americans seem to remember when it comes to the imperial highlight reel.

So, what went wrong? Well, it’s the classic tale we’ve seen time and time again:

1. Leadership Vision Fizzled Out: Once the OG explorers were gone, the new generation lost the plot. It's like when a visionary founder leaves, and suddenly the company is making weird pivots nobody asked for or truly cares about.

2. Knowledge Transfer Fail: They didn't pass on the secret sauce. All that exploration expertise? Gone with the wind (or more accurately, with the retiring sea captains).

3. Lack of Innovation: They rested on their laurels. First to market? Great. But if you're not constantly innovating, you're basically inviting disruption.

4. External Shocks: In 1755, Lisbon got hit with the trifecta of doom – earthquake, tsunami, and fire. It's like getting hacked, having your biggest client leave, and facing a pandemic all at once. Not fun.

But here's where it gets good. Under the leadership of the Marquis of Pombal (think of him as the Steve Jobs of 18th century Portugal), they rebuilt. Not just buildings, but systems. They introduced modern urban planning and earthquake-resistant structures. It's like pivoting your entire business model and tech stack overnight.

The lesson? Resilience isn't just about bouncing back. It's about bouncing forward.

So, what does all this mean for us modern-day explorers, founders, and leaders? A few things:

1. Being First Isn't Everything: Cool, you've got first-mover advantage. Now what? Keep innovating, or watch someone else eat your lunch.

2. Leadership Matters, A Lot: Great leaders don't just guide – they cultivate the next generation of visionaries.

3. Knowledge is Power, Sharing is Key: Build systems to pass on crucial knowledge. Your company's future might depend on it.

4. Resilience is a Superpower: When disaster strikes (and it will), don't just rebuild – reimagine.

5. Long-Term Vision Beats Short-Term Gains: Portugal lost its way when it focused on quick profits over sustained growth. Sound familiar?

As I sit here, watching the sun set over the Sintra coast, I can't help but think: we're not so different from those ambitious explorers; we're all trying to navigate uncharted waters, seeking our own India or Americas.

It’s important to learn history so we can avoid the same patterns. Let's build companies and cultures that don't just conquer new territories but know how to hold onto them. Let's create systems that outlast us, innovations that keep evolving, and teams that can weather any storm (or earthquake, or tsunami...).

So, next time you're celebrating a big win or facing a major setback, channel your inner Portuguese explorer. Be bold, be resilient, but most importantly, keep your eyes on the horizon. The next big discovery might be just around the corner.

Until next time, keep challenging the status quo and do yourself a favor—grab a Portuguese pastry, or a few. Don’t worry, Europe’s built for walking it all off, something we Americans could definitely do more of!

With love,

Yoela