Why Storytelling Isn't Enough: The Importance of Having Skin in the Game

The way we interact with the dots in our lives defines who we are and how we interpret existence. It is crucial to take actions in alignment with our beliefs and not just rely on empty words. Storytelling without subsequent actions is nothing more than manipulation. To be serious about what we do, we must take risks and have something to lose, also known as "skin in the game." Without this risk-taking, we are only expressing intentions, and there is no real strategy without the commitment of resources and the willingness to take risks. Taking risks, embracing defeats, and learning from failures are essential to building solid responses and lasting models of business, life, and personal relationships. To achieve this, we must adopt collaborative and non-competitive behavioral schemes that lower the defensive barriers of the ego and increase awareness of the importance of getting involved. Let's say you have an idea for a new product that you believe will revolutionize the market. You can talk about this idea all day long, but until you take action and actually create the product, it's just a story. However, once you invest your time, money, and energy into developing the product, you have skin in the game. You have something important to lose, which means you are more invested in the success of the project. Taking risks and having skin in the game is what sets successful entrepreneurs apart from those who simply talk about their ideas. For example, Steve Jobs didn't just talk about creating innovative technology; he took risks and invested in the development of products like the iPhone and iPad, which changed the way we interact with technology. Similarly, Elon Musk didn't just talk about his vision for sustainable energy and space exploration; he invested his own money and took on significant risk to create companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Without skin in the game, these entrepreneurs would not have been as invested in the success of their ventures, and their ideas may have remained just that: ideas. But by taking risks and having something important to lose, they were able to achieve incredible success and leave a lasting impact on the world. The advancement of technology, particularly in AI, can play a vital role in supporting skin in the game actions. AI will provide an objective, consistent framework for analyzing risks and benefits of a strategy, free from emotional biases. By delegating risk analyses to AI, people will be able to focus on innovation and creation, ultimately adding value to their limited time on earth. Collaboration among the citizens of the planet is essential to achieve a new understanding free of egos and mad supremacy races. It is time to speak with actions rather than words and utilize technology advancements to make the world a better place. In conclusion, taking risks and having skin in the game is crucial to building solid responses and lasting models in business, life, and personal relationships. By adopting collaborative and non-competitive behavioral schemes and utilizing advancements in AI, we can make the world a better place and add value to our limited time on earth. Let us embrace the concept of skin in the game and take actions aligned with our beliefs.