PART IV

Putting Leadership into Action

OUR FIRST THREE SECTIONS LOOKED at history and culture, the unique way Latinos prepare to lead, and the inclusive and diverse aspects of their leadership. We are now ready to learn about the actions that leaders have taken to propel their communities forward. Because of these tireless efforts, Latinos are the vibrant, hopeful, and contributing community they are today. Looking at how mainstream leadership is changing is a good starting point because we will find synchronicity between this and how Latinos have traditionally led.

For generations, the centerpiece of mainstream American leadership was the individual leader. This fashioned a hierarchical form, which was very effective in an assembly-line economy where people followed orders and looked to a boss for direction. Today, our economy centers on service, technology, communications, and industries such as health care, where people skills, joint problem-solving abilities, and on-the-spot decision making are required. To address this, leadership has become collaborative and team oriented.

Latinos are in sync with this change because they are natural collaborators, having learned to work with others at an early age. As discussed, the familia and comunidad cooperate for the common welfare. Values such as reciprocity, sharing, and generosity encourage collaboration. Collectivity, in fact, has been a survival tactic.

Leadership is also changing due to the external environment. The United States is becoming a diverse nation, and in most of our major urban areas it already is! Civil rights, changing demographics, democratic values, higher educational levels, and political awareness have transformed leadership into a more inclusive and participatory form. The diverse, better educated, tech-savvy and increasingly young workforce expects to participate and even functions more autonomously.

As explored, bienvenido is a cherished value—diversity and inclusiveness are rooted in Latino history, culture, and leadership. Many generations have traditionally worked together and contributed to mutual advancement. Managing diversity is a Latino leader’s competitive edge.

We should also consider that in our rapidly changing, supercomplex world, even the smartest and most experienced leader will simply not have all the answers. Leaders must be skilled in creating an environment that supports people in working together to generate viable solutions and achieve desired results. They must hand over the reins and shift the locus of control from I as the leader to We—the people served by the leader. Pivotal is defining the leader’s role as serving and developing people. Perhaps we can say then that leadership by the few is being replaced with leadership by the many—a revered Latino leadership principle.

Latino leadership aligns with today’s collaborative orientation. Latino leaders serve people, share responsibility, and build community—a rich foundation for creating inclusive and empowering environments.

Latinos know that the journey to social justice and economic equality has been a long and winding one. Leadership has entailed ardent community organizing and social action. We have advanced as a people only because of the struggle and dedication of our leaders. Latinos find examples of this right in their familias. Just as I honor the sacrifices of my mother, María, and know that all that I accomplish is due to her vision and determination, so too Latinos can look back and learn from the leadership of their antepasados. The National Council of La Raza’s Janet Murguía follows such consejo (counsel). “I think my parents in their own humble ways taught me a lot of the great skills of leadership,” she says. “They were honest and hardworking, sacrificed for their children, helped their community, and taught me responsibility for others. These are actually valuable cultural assets. If we embrace these, they will serve us well.”

The leadership principles that follow offer young Latinos and others who desire to create a more just and inclusive world proven ways to educate, inspire, and mobilize people. Latino leadership has passed the test of time. It has a centuries-old track record for collaborative, collective, and activist leadership. The Power of Latino Leadership honors this tradition and lays the foundation for the evolution and expansion of this dynamic form of leadership.