Roman Martin, photo courtesy of EKMH Innovators.
Today we catch up with serial entrepreneur, philosopher, artist, activist, speaker, neuroscientist, economist and angel investor Roman Martin. Based in Barcelona with a steadfast mission to learn, create and share, among many Martin is known as a Renaissance man. Educated in the US and in Spain with an academic background in economics, psychology, philosophy and neuroscience, Martin is the founder and president of Interbel, the co-founder and co-citizen of StopContaminacioBCN and also the founder of the new initiative 3outof5. In addition to serving on several boards, Martin also founded Grupo Inidium, co-founded FindtheCxO, and until late last year, served as the CEO of Masterbranch. Did I mention that he is also a sculptor? And writing a book about a new neurological theory?
Each time we connect, he’s working on a variety of interesting projects or launching a new initiative. As expected, this time was no different. I had the pleasure to catch up with Martin via email this week to see what he’s been doing since the beginning of the year, wondering what new ideas, projects and initiatives he may have launched during the last few months while quarantining. In difficult times like these, Martin’s boundless enthusiasm and creativity provides much-needed inspiration and optimism.
In our interview Martin shares his insight on a variety of topics including what drives him to be an entrepreneur, the intersection of his anti-pollution activism and the future of work, his advice on starting a company, building effective teams and assembling a board, and the importance of continuing education.
What’s the secret to your entrepreneurship? Please describe your process and share some helpful tips to budding entrepreneurs.
I discovered some years ago that I cannot stop my mind from having ideas. I am a creative person, not only in art when I sculpt, but also in business and the intellectual world. Trying to focus on only one thing goes against my nature, and makes me miserable, sad, less motivated and less creative. I think the idea that to be successful you have to focus on one thing is overrated. You can see Elon Musk now, or Rockefeller a century ago, and how they run and ran several enterprises at the same time. So, my tip to other entrepreneurs is: learn about your nature and stick to it.
During the lockdown you founded a new organization, 3outof5 that builds on StopContaminationBCN, another organization that you founded. What led to these initiatives? What opportunities has the pandemic’s confinement and resulting pollution decrease created?
There is one part of our brain called the insula. When we get disgusted about something the insula propels other parts of the brain to act. I revolted against how Barcelona City Hall was doing nothing effective to reduce pollution. The politicians just were too scared to lose votes. They put their political interests above the health of their citizens. I had to act. That is why I created StopContaminacioBCN and became the first citizen in Spain to begin a lawsuit against the government for not complying with European environmental standards. This lawsuit was a necessary move, but the reality is that in Spain the justice system is so slow, that nothing has happened in three years.
The pandemic’s confinement provoked an enormous reduction in traffic which in turn gave us the clearest air we have enjoyed in Barcelona for the last 100 years. And not only in our city, but around the world, the environment has recovered a lot thanks to the quarantines that have forced much of the worldwide workforce to work remotely from home.
An idea popped into my head few weeks ago just before going to bed: what about promoting the concept that businesses and organizations would allow their employees to work three out of five days from home? This initiative would allow employees to enjoy a better life, businesses could become more productive with a more motivated workforce and the most important point: the environment would benefit from having fewer cars on the road everyday.
What out-of-the-box active steps can be done by citizens and the government to maintain the decreased pollution levels in Barcelona and other cities?
Our proposal is that citizens, companies and governments around the world adopt the 3outof5 movement by asking citizens and pushing companies to work remotely. (We believe that the best employees will move to 3outof5 companies… and no company can afford to lose their best employees). Business leaders can adopt 1outof5 to 5outof5 remote working policies within their companies—even working from home one day a week improves the environment. Governments can also adopt the 3outof5 model by promoting policies that will support this way of life.
In the last years you’ve developed the Theory of Attention. Please share more about this theory and how you may have applied and evolved this theory during the coronavirus. How can your theory be applied to enhance business and social connections?
Theory of Attention is the book that I have been writing during the last four years, and hopefully I will finish this year. The book provides a deeper understanding about human relationships, addressing the whys and hows attention is crucial to developing high quality relationships that improve our wellbeing, happiness and even health. Nobody has shown us what happens in someone else’s brain when we are paying them or not paying proper attention. We know that all types of relationships (spouse, family, friends, co-workers, etc.) are complex, but no one has taught us why they work the way they work and how to manage them better. Not only does theTheory of Attention give a framework based in neuroscience, psychology and anthropology to understand and manage all of our interactions, it also gives us the proper tips to improve our relationships.
I have developed a mobile app as well to make a practical tool for Theory of Attention to help people manage their personal network of friends by setting reminders to keep in touch. It is in beta, but people can download the app from attention.app.
Roman Martin, photo courtesy of EKMH Innovators.
As an entrepreneur and innovator, when do you prefer to work solo versus work on a team? What personal qualities have enabled you to lead and collaborate well?
As I mentioned, my mind just produces many ideas, but these ideas are worth nothing without the feedback of and collaboration with a team. I always look for honest and respectful criticism. I think it is an art to ask good questions to improve whatever idea you have, and be humble to see that another’s idea or criticism is better than yours.
I am very proud of 3outof5 and have gathered a group of friends who are very successful entrepreneurs to help put this project in place. One of them, Sebastian Barajas, is already working full time on the day-to-day tasks. I have already organized a six-member advisory board—two from Spain (one of whom lives in the UK), two from Germany and two from USA— which gives us from day one an international perspective for the project. We all have a commitment to make a positive global impact on the environment.
As a former talent consultant, what advice do you have for building and leading effective teams?
Know the internal nature of your people to put them in the right position, give them autonomy, encourage them to learn and master their field, inspire them with a purpose and cheer them to work hard to achieve that purpose.
When I started 28 years ago as an entrepreneur, I was micromanaging a lot. In the last 10 years I have learned to let go on that, and am still learning on how to do it properly.
As a seasoned board member, what should every aspiring entrepreneur know about founding a business? What do you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Putting a team together that believes in your purpose is basic. But more importantly, that purpose has to be intrinsic, not just about making money. You have to ask yourself questions like: if you would just make a living, would you still work 70 hours weeks for two, three, four or five years to make this thing happen? Will you be humble enough to recognize that your own ideas are wrong, and be open to both brutal honesty and pungent criticism? Will you be willing to let another person lead “your” project because they do a better job than you?
Many business don’t succeed due to matters concerning egos from the founding members to hire better people than themselves. Be open to criticism and willing to change, and don’t over-emphasize the importance of receiving social recognition.
What are your thoughts on continuing education? Why go back to school?
Although I have had several careers and studied in several masters programs, I still feel so ignorant about so many things. I guess I am thirsty for knowledge. Learning makes me happy. But I agree that other people may have other motivations, like investing their time in other pleasures. However, I believe that spending at least some time in reading or going to school as an adult is necessary to understand how the world changes around you.
Last but not least, which books, podcasts, and/or films do you recommend and are on your “to-read” list? Where do you hope to read them this summer?
Because I am reading so many scholarly papers on neuroscience, philosophy, sociology, psychology and anthropology for my book, I don’t really have time to enjoy much other reading. I am passionate about learning more about human relationships… and it is such a huge field I still have much to explore.
This article by Erin Hobey originally appeared on EKMH Innovators and has been republished with the author's permission. Read the original article.