No hablo corporate? No Problem | Navigating leadership development as a Latino

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and I want to talk about some of the common challenges, we Latino leaders and professionals navigate (and may not talk about often, or enough about). Latino or not, all are welcome here, and can hopefully get something out of this.

Can we please talk about overcoming things like the lack of representation, imposter syndrome or even what it’s like being the first or only person in your family who now speaks more corporate than espa?ol??

Access and representation

In my early career, I can’t tell you how many times I have been the only Latino or the only POC in the room or had to smile through some uncomfortable microaggression IYKYK. I didn't have the tools to navigate this in my early career, but I do now, and I want to share some of my personal experiences in hopes that it helps someone out there or at the very least, we can find community in these shared experiences.

It’s hard to ignore the often-lacking representation in general but especially in leadership roles. When you don’t see people who look like you in positions of influence, it can feel challenging to envision yourself in those roles or feel like you can successfully grow your career in those spaces. This absence in representation and access to mentors and advocates who are part of your community can impact confidence, career growth, and ultimately the feeling of belonging in corporate spaces.

As someone who has navigated this experience, I’ve learned the importance of seeking out mentors and sponsors in and out of your organization—Latino or not—who can advocate for you and empower you. Beyond that, we ourselves need to be (and are well on the way to be) the representation that we want to see by taking up space, being vocal, and leading authentically.

There is no denying that who you know can be just as important as what you know. Building trusted relationships and networks takes intentionality. LinkedIn and other professional platforms are great tools to start expanding your network. Attend industry events, seek out mentorship, and don’t be afraid to ask for introductions. Networking may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s a powerful way to create opportunities and find a community who can support your growth.

Remember que eres muy chingón to overcome imposter syndrome

Does anyone else feel that you need to work twice as hard to prove yourself? Imposter syndrome is a common struggle for many professional. Watch out because this internalized self-doubt can lead to burnout, and fast.

What I’ve learned is that imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you don’t belong—it means you’re growing. It’s important to recognize those moments of self-doubt, challenge them, and move forward anyway. Push yourself! Surround yourself with people who challenge you to do things outside of your comfort zone and a strong support system who empowers you.

No hablo corporate? Teaching yourself a hidden curriculum

Let’s talk about the hidden curriculum that you most likely had to teach yourself. I am talking about all of the unspoken rules, norms, and expectations that aren’t explicitly taught but are crucial for your success. Things like gracefully navigating office politics, understanding networking nuances, or learning how to advocate for yourself in spaces where mentorship and guidance may be limited. We often have to figure out these unwritten rules on our own. I like to say that I am trilingual now-English, Spanish and Corporate. As leaders, we need to create environments where all voices are heard, understood and valued.

Balancing career goals with family expectations

Please tell me that I am not the only one who struggles to explain to my family what I do for work? Some of us are the first in our families to attend college or work in corporate environments, and with that comes the weight of both expectation and responsibility. Balancing the expectations of our families with the demands of building a successful career is anything short of easy.

For me, communicating realistic and respectful boundaries with family and at work has helped me manage this delicate balance. It’s also important to define success on your own terms. Family, finding joy, personal fulfillment and career growth are all important. Finding ways to honor this is part of the journey.

Creating an empowering workplace

Based on my own personal experiences and as an HR leader today, here’s my hot take on a few key strategies that employers could adopt to better support Latino or any underrepresented group(s) within their organization:

• Provide visibility, resources and access to mentorship and sponsorship: Whether formal or informal, provide opportunities for professionals to connect with more experienced leaders who can provide advocacy, guidance and support. Even just opportunities for employees to find community, connect and share experiences with one another is a start. ERGs are great, but there is no one-size fits all approach. Try webinars or virtual coffee dates and in-person social happy hours or office hours. Be intentional about providing equitable access to resources, development, and learning to further develop leadership skills and advance careers.
• Upskill your leaders and set them up for success: Ensure that leadership teams and people managers are equipped with the right social emotional and talent development skills to overcome unconscious bias, have a strong cultural competency, respect the value of diversity in leadership and give employees a voice.

While these challenges are real, so is our ability to overcome them, learn along the way and pass on that new knowledge to empower others. As a leader and advocate, I believe that leading with authenticity is the key to our success. We aren’t just navigating a changing workplace—we are shaping the future of work. I don’t know who needed to hear this, but I hope it found the right people. Let’s embrace the journey and lead con orgullo, paso a paso (one step at a time).