During a recent El Puente Institute Fall 2025 Masterclass, one participant shared something that stayed with us:
“Sometimes I feel like my Latinidad only shows up at the surface—like the leaves on a tree. It’s all fun, food, and flags… but I worry that I’m losing my connection to the roots.”
Her words captured a feeling many Latinos know well, the tension between the visible expressions of culture and the deeper, quieter forces that truly shape who we are.
At El Puente Institute, our work and our research affirm that our Raíces run deep. Beneath the surface of what’s observable lies an entire network of cultural knowledge that continues to guide us, generation after generation.
Through our Cultural Drivers™ Profile Assessment, we are finding that even among third-generation Latinos, the foundational cultural scripts remain strong:
Familismo — Family continues to matter profoundly. It is both our anchor and our compass.
Personalismo — Relationships built on confianza (trust) and genuine connection are still at the heart of our leadership and work.
Simpatía — The kindness and warmth with which we welcome others shape the environments we create.
Marianismo & Machismo — These evolve across generations, but the gendered nuances of care, responsibility, and protection continue to influence our values.
Respeto — While it may look different across age groups, respect remains central to how we honor the dignity of others and ourselves.
These roots are not static; they adapt, evolve, and express themselves uniquely in every generation. Yet they remain alive. They remind us that Latinidad is not just about what we celebrate, the language we speak, and our country of origin; it’s about what grounds us.
At El Puente Institute, we believe that understanding these Cultural Drivers™ is essential for leadership, belonging, and collective flourishing.
Learn more about your own cultural roots. Take the Cultural Drivers™ Profile Assessment to explore how your raíces shape the way you lead, connect, and create impact.
Because when we understand our roots, we don’t lose them, we grow from them.
