In the first installment of a three-part InsideWork series, Glenn McMahan writes about the connections between international soccer and business. Glenn interviewed Moraci Sant’Anna, the innovative physical trainer for four of Brazil’s World Cup soccer teams, including the winning team of 1994.

One Brazilian economist, a leading authority on the economic theories that explain criminal behavior, recently published a book designed to prod Brazilian policy makers to action.

Norman Cousins wrote, “Our own age is not likely to be distinguished in history for the large numbers of people interested in finding some time to think," and Glenn McMahan couldn't agree more. But wait: There are rumors in Brazil of deep discussions among businesspeople about thoughtful books. Could this become a trend? Please?

Glenn McMahan, our man in Brazil, takes only cold comfort from the knowledge that the corrupt will eventually fall into pits of their own digging. Is that enough? What benefit does integrity bring to a person? What reward is there for honesty?

Glen McMahan wonders if there aren't products that have already reached a perfect blend of form and function . . . products that really are good enough . . . categories where innovation simply isn't necessary because there's nothing to be gained by producing something that's new but not different . . .

Glenn McMahan measures a recent worldwide study on entrepreneurship against reality on the ground in Brazil. What does it take to help early-stage entrepreneurs create truly innovative, sustainable business models in tough economic times?

Innovation happens on the foundation of good relationships...when there is a high level of talent diversity but at the same time a willingness to link up with other people who can complement one another. From this unity and diversity, people are able to be far more creative than if they only work alone.

Underlying Brazil's daily struggle with corruption is a feeling among many business professionals, at least those who try to be honest, that changing the business environment is impossible. They feel impotent and deeply frustrated. Sound familiar?

Glenn McMahan's recent trip to the U.S. from Brazil exposed a raw nerve among friends rocked by unemployment: "As the number of unemployed workers increases in the U.S. during this severe recession, many people are feeling an inner, less obvious pain: the sensation of being insignificant.”

The absense of forgiveness may the highest barrier to living and doing business unfettered by the past. Glenn McMahan is convinced forgiveness is a tall obstacle, but he doesn't believe it's insurmountable.

In the aftermath of the financial collapse, Glenn McMahan wonders if all the blaming in New York and Washington is, at the core, much different from a childish fight — only now the toy we're fighting about is worth trillions of dollars.

Glenn McMahan finds in the biblical narrative a great deal about the meaning behind God's labor — and clues to meaning of of human work as well.

We only need to open a newspaper to find that our relationally designed world is fragmented and frayed. Distrust shadows our business dealings and, in this moment, our entire economy. News stories about the current economic crisis lead us to believe the problem is a lack of confidence in the financial markets.

We usually think that innovation and creativity depend on talent and knowledge. That might be true, but is it possible that a latent fear of failure and judgment among professionals stifles the innovation businesses need?

Glenn McMahan, InsideWork's man in Brazil unfolds the story of principled leadership that rescued Brazil's economy from 40 years of hyper-inflation.

Glenn McMahan, InsideWork's man in Brazil examines the failures of leadership that led to 14.2 quadrillion percent inflation over 40 years.