ZAPOPAN, Jalisco; May 21, 2024.— Universidad Panamericana , Guadalajara Campus, through the School of Economics and Business, invited speaker Carlos Páez to present his lecture“Beyond the Andes: Life Lessons from Carlos Páez.”
The Business Administration and Management, Talent Management, and Family Business Administration and Management programs organized this event to give the university community a firsthand look at his experiences, stories, and lessons learned after spending 72 days in isolation in the Andes Mountains.
Lessons in Teamwork
“Carlitos” said that teamwork and attitude were two virtues they developed, and thanks to them, they managed to succeed.“The first title I ever earned was in the mountains, because I was in charge of covering the plane— I was the official coverer. We all had our own roles, and we were very respectful of each other’s responsibilities —and that’s ultimately what makes this story one of the most remarkable examples of teamwork, ”he said.
Attitude in Critical Moments
Regarding attitude, Carlos Páez explained that this virtue was evident when Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, two of the survivors, set out on a final effort and trekked through the Andes mountain range to seek help.
“That’s what you call attitude, because they could have taken the easiest route —which was to return to the fuselage, where we were more or less still alive—but they chose the harder path, perhaps because the weight of all our work rested on their shoulders. Those two weren’t walking alone; it was the result of the efforts of all 16 of us, ”he reflected.
A Call to Conquer Our Own Mountain Ranges
At the end of his lecture, Carlos Páez invited the university community to look back at their own mountain ranges.“As I told you today, each of you has your own mountain range; mine isn’t the most important one.”
Panteras Testimonials
Paulina Castellanos, a student in the Business Administration and Marketing and Talent Management and Leadership programs, said that her presentation was “very enriching because it teaches you to value time. Her life experience—marked by her survival in the Andes— makes you reflect on the importance of making the most of every moment and living with purpose. Her story inspires us to reconsider our priorities and not take the time we have for granted.”
Sebastián Larrauri, a student majoring in Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations, as well as Communication and Journalism, said that his talk was“very good because he told us everything he had to go through to survive in the Andes. He also emphasized the importance of teamwork, noting that they were united by a common goal: to survive and make it home safely.”
Universidad Panamericana ’s Guadalajara Campus would like to thank speaker Carlos Páez for his inspiring presentation, which allowed members of our university community to gain a deeper understanding of the value of teamwork and the mindset needed to face life’s challenges.
