It’s like that double shot Espresso: first you get jolted awake, feeling hyperactive and beautifully alive… and then after the caffeine wears off, you have to battle the inevitable coffee-crash, complete with lethargy and depleted energy. After participating in the NCLR Annual Summit, I find that the motivation train that is so prevalent in the high-energy luncheons, town hall meetings, and amidst student interaction can also appear to be missing in the days following the conferences, where the lack of energy and inspiration make it a challenge to be better líderes…
So I decided to dedicate today’s blog post on INSPIRATION!
This is an opportunity for myself and our readers to consider, honestly and sincerely: what kind of inspiration and motivation do we draw upon through our own activities or by example of role models? Furthermore, do we know any Latino leaders after whom we can model our own efforts? According to an article by the Latino Leadership Council, there are obstacles to realizing who our Latino role models are. However, don’t be fooled– they ARE out there. A growing number of Latino leaders are continuously emerging in all levels of society- including doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs- and we just have to find creative ways to tap into this Latino role-model market. By doing so, we stand much to gain from learning about their inspiration, skills, and ganas!
Here are seven tips on how to learn about, emulate, and acknowledge Latino leaders and other inspirational people who serve as great examples for us and our communities:
- Inform yourself! Is there a Latino/a or Hispanic empowerment society in your town, city, or county? Use those internet/ local library/ directory book -browsing skills to find out!
- Start a “leadership blog” on your own circle of expertise– perhaps you can give back to others that need examples of people with valuable leadership skills, communication skills, presentation skills, and more.
- Interview a Leader. Leadership blogs can also be useful for finding mentors or showcasing pride in your own community or other area– try interviewing or writing about leaders/mentors that you encounter in your very own school, church, sports club, city government, and local businesses. By politely asking these motivational people if they have 10 or 15 minutes of free time for an informational interview, you can highlight their hard work and valuable skills and traits that go into making them amazing people!
- Do some additional research regarding the “About Us” type links that feature leaders, CEOs, founders, etc of Latino community groups or affiliates– chances are, Wikipedia or Google can shed some light on their bios that may impress and motivate you!
- Develop a Mentor! Having a mentor can help you in your professional endeavors, academic pursuits, and beyond. They can serve as a valuable resource for learning about certain industries and careers, or assisting in personal growth, or simply in pointing you in the direction of other leaders in a given field. Don’t forget– some of them have many things in common with you!
- Seek Representation! Acknowledging those who have made a contribution to your community, city, and society can be a humbling and rewarding experience! You can:
- Write a letter to your local representative and ask for them to recognize an important latino leader in your community!
- Start an online petition or Facebook group, to commemorate more inspiring Latinos from your own community, region, or even across the U.S!
- Attend a Conference or Seminar. Conferences, whether they are regional or a local, can be a great way to meet inspirational people. For starters, inquire about Leadership Seminars or Conferences held by school clubs or campus organizations. Many school campuses have clubs/organizations that offer monthly or yearly conferences and seminars that are open to students and feature key note speakers of various backgrounds.
- Network and Volunteer! Many times, volunteering and networking with professionals can be a useful way to encounter inspiring teachers and leaders who have much to share about what it means to succeed. Put yourself out there and don’t be shy to ask questions! (My favorite one is, “what qualities do you find most useful in succeeding in your position?”). Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
lideresyac 