For many Latino professionals, this instinct isn’t just personality—it’s cultural.
At El Puente Institute, we’ve been diving into how the cultural script of simpatía—which values harmony, humility, and modesty—shapes how Latinos navigate leadership and career development. Simpatía teaches us to keep the spotlight on others, avoid conflict, and resist any behavior that could be perceived as self-centered or boastful.
But here’s the challenge: in professional spaces that reward assertiveness, visibility, and self-promotion, simpatía can quietly hold us back.
Research shows that individuals from collectivist cultures like ours often demonstrate a modesty bias—downplaying socially desirable traits, even when they are true. For Latinos, saying “I’m a strong leader” may feel like a violation of cultural humility—even though it’s expected in job interviews, evaluations, and networking settings.
This tension matters.
If we don’t name and unpack it, we risk being overlooked—not because we lack talent, but because we’ve been taught to express it quietly.
Building cultural self-awareness helps us honor simpatía without allowing it to dim our brilliance. We can learn new ways to share our accomplishments with gracia and authenticity—ways that reflect both our values and our vision.
Because leadership doesn’t have to be loud—but it does have to be seen.
