Cultural Transformations

Chapter 11Juan Carlos Archila CabalCEO of Claro (Colombia)

Your presence is determined by your reputation; your reputation can spiral up or down based on your “wow” factor—do you fall short or just meet people's expectations … or, do you wow the people in your life?

—John Mattone

JUAN CARLOS ARCHILA CABAL WAS born in Bogata, Colombia, where he auspiciously attended a U.S. school run by the Benedictines. It would be the first of many times in which internationalism forged his values and paved his path. It was Juan Carlos's father, a Colombian physician who spent three years in the United States in his medical school residency, who insisted on an education that offered a wider worldview.

The senior Archila Cabal's vision became a reality not just for young Juan Carlos, but also for his brother, six years his senior. After high school and completing a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering at a top-tier Colombian university, Juan Carlos followed in his brother's academic footsteps by attending the University of South Carolina where—like his brother before him—he earned a master's degree in international business. A primary factor in choosing that program was an internship abroad program. Juan Carlos knew instinctively that international experience would serve him well in his career.

He was right.

At the completion of his master's degree, Juan Carlos, already married and longing to return to his homeland, was hired by Motorola into their Cade 2000 Plus Program. With 18 months ...