KEY COMPONENTS FOR A LATINO LEADERSHIP CURRICULUM
Leaders are life-long learners. Growing leadership skills, therefore, is an on-going process. As leaders mature and their influence broadens, they require additional training, expanded networks and up-to-date information. Providing all the skill development leaders need would make programs too lengthy, intensive and costly. LIDERAMOS suggest a continuum of leadership development with a foundational program that covers key elements and then advanced training and/or alumnae sessions can offer additional training.
The following list suggests key elements to consider and prioritize in developing leadership curriculums. Program content should always be adapted to the community served, participant needs and educational levels, as well as budget, resources and staffing.
Self-Development and Awareness
- Identity: personal, professional, cultural
- Racial and emotional healing
- Assessment instruments to understand personal leadership style
- Spiritual grounding, values clarification, and personal mission
- Overall resilience: physical, spiritual and emotional
Mainstream Leadership
- Review key mainstream leadership models such as The Leadership Challenge and five practices
- Servant Leadership: the bridge between mainstream and Latino leadership
- Understand dominant culture protocol, communication and power dynamics
- Develop an “executive” presence – able to maneuver in mainstream culture
- Understanding the rules of power and working with community influentials
Latino History, Culture, and Leadership Practices
- Latino history, cultural identity and assets
- “State of Latinos today” demographics, diversity, and challenges
- Latino leadership practices and principles
- Exposure to Latino role models
- Latinos in your community, state, region including history, strengths, challenges and assets
- Latino nonprofit organizations, media outlets, networks and special community events
Public Policy, Civic Engagement
and Social Change
- Understand Latino issues (education, employment, immigration, etc.)
- Systems thinking, influencing public policy and the legislative process
- How to be an effective advocate
- Social change theory and economic empowerment models
- Community organizing strategies and motivating people to take action
SKILL DEVELOPMENT: Networking, Team building and Influence Strategies
- Team building and strategic networking
- Mentoring and coaching
- Branding, image, and dress for success
- Conflict negotiation and public speaking skills
- Leveraging technology and social media
Theory of Change
Leadership by the Many by Juana Bordas
Leaders everywhere have much to learn from Latino leaders who have traditionally worked in a collaborative and inclusive model. Creating a community of leaders was essential to Hispanics whose advancement depended on people power, collective resources, and a critical mass of skilled and motivated people.