When we talk about culturally ready leadership, we’re talking about more than awareness—we’re talking about embodiment. One of the most underappreciated leadership tools Latinos bring to the table is expressiveness—our natural fluency in tone, gesture, volume, and body language.
It’s not just how we say things. It’s how we show them.
Communication Is More Than Words
Research by Dr. Albert Mehrabian shows that only 7% of communication is based on the words we say. The other 93% is nonverbal—38% tone and 55% body language.
As Latinos, we instinctively know this. We grew up in cultures where a raised eyebrow, a quick head nod, or a lovingly sarcastic tone speaks volumes. We are fluent in facial expressions, layered tones, and the warmth of presence.
This is not a liability. This is cultural intelligence.
Expressiveness as Leadership Capital
In professional spaces—especially in leadership—expressiveness can be a bridge. It builds trust. It creates psychological safety. It inspires loyalty. It strengthens connection.
Leaders who are culturally expressive can do more than deliver a message—they can make others feel the message. That’s a profound difference, especially in moments of uncertainty, transition, or change.
In fact, in today’s world of hybrid teams, miscommunication, and digital overload, leaders who can convey empathy, presence, and care through tone and nonverbal expression are more effective and more human.
Being Latino Is a Leadership Advantage
Too often, culturally expressive behavior is misunderstood—especially in majority culture workplaces—as being “too much,” “too emotional,” or “unprofessional.”
But at El Puente Institute, we reject that framing. We know that being expressive is a sign of cultural fluency, not a flaw. And it’s a strength we need in leadership today.
To be culturally ready means knowing that leadership is not just strategic—it’s embodied. It shows up in how we greet others, how we hold space, and how we deliver hard truths with warmth and care.
A Call to Leaders
Latino leaders: Your ability to lead with presence, to move people through tone and gesture, and to communicate beyond the limits of language—this is your power.
Don’t shrink it. Don’t mute it. Model it. Teach it. Lead with it.
🌟 Culturally ready leaders don’t just speak. They connect. Let’s build workplaces that recognize this gift—and make room for leaders who lead with all their senses.
