Although this report was in 2001, I think it is something still worth noting. The National Community on Latino Leadership did a study, the first of its kind where over 3,000 Latino respondents reflect, but also diverge, from non-Latino mainstream views on leadership. Latinos have a unique view of leadership that emphasizes community service and compassion. The report is especially important in today’s economic and political climate where national leaders are aggressively courting Latino constituencies and markets.
Report findings include:
» Latinos are twice as likely to find their heroes in their family than the general population.
» The leadership qualities Latinos deemed most important were: honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity (50%), followed by intelligence, experience, and education (8%), being respectful of persons and community (4.6%), community servanthood (4.1%), and being loving and compassionate (4.1%).
» The Latino community’s perspective on leadership bridges racial, class, political and cultural lines. Contrary to expectations, Latino ethnic groups do not differ significantly among each other with respect to what they seek in a leader.
» Among Latino respondents, there was a striking underlying consensus on their views and values toward leaders –no significant differences exist between Latino young adults and seniors, citizens or non-citizens, or between Latinos and Latinas.
Unlike other cultures that emphasize individualism, Latinos emphasize collectivity, belonging, and group benefit.
Based on NCLL survey results, the twenty most desired leadership qualities are clustered into four general leadership traits. “We have taken these traits and categorized them as the “Four C’s of Latino Leadership” said Ramirez. “Latinos want leaders to demonstrate character in their public dealings and private lives, be competent, express compassion in their exercise of leadership, and work as a community servant.” For more information on this report or to learn more about this organization visit their site here.
