Exploring the Soul of Leadership

Recently, I heard Deepak Chopra speak at a conference organized by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. He spoke about his book, “The Soul of Leadership.” His words were relevant for Latinos in many ways. We are growing in population, but are not seeing an accompanying growth in education level and representation across sectors. We are visibly underrepresented in politics, media, and entertainment. Many are working hard to change this situation, and Being Latino is part of this movement.

We need more true leaders and we need our young people to reach their potential. But what is a true leader? A true leader leads from within, speaks powerfully to share their message, and cultivates self-power instead of agency power.

Agency power is power that others bestow on you, such as a title or a position. Self-power is independent of agency power. We all know people who attract others to them, who communicate a vision and inspire confidence from others. It’s likely they have self-power. Strong leaders are not dependent upon approval from others or praise. They are also not swayed by criticism. They have an unwavering faith in themselves and their purpose. However, they do actively seek constructive feedback and look for ways to improve. Self-power enables true leaders to have a vision and act upon it.

Chopra said, “A leader is a symbolic soul for a collective consciousness.” I’ve been thinking a lot about what that means. Leaders immediately come to mind- compelling people with fervent followings. Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Oz, Cory Booker, Maya Angelou, Cesar Chavez. I believe all of these true leaders are thought leaders. They are using their voice in any way possible to communicate their ideas to others and shape our society. When they talk, people listen and even act.

As Latinos, we are in need of two things: thought leaders and more exposure for existing thought leaders. We need to hear the voices of our Latino leaders loud and clear on a national level. When faced with a lack of outlets for their voices, thought leaders create their own. We need to be in charge of our own stories. Consider the incredible success of the musical “In the Heights,” now touring nationally. Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda told a Latino story and now the whole nation has heard.

Unfortunately, many of our driven young people are focused on attaining material items or a certain position or job title. What if they were focused on changing the paradigm, inspiring others, and cultivating self-power? It would make a world of difference. Also, our successful Latino professionals should challenge themselves to share their voices and stories through public speaking, writing, blogging, or social media. Each person has a unique passion and gift to share with their world. If more Latinos cultivated their voices and became true leaders, and these voices gained traction, society would never be the same.

Original article found in Being Latino Online Magazine.

Currently, Catarina writes about nutrition/health as a contributor to Being Latino Online Magazine. She is also the Co-Founder/Director of Healthy Kids in the Heights, a non-profit program empowering low-income communities to live healthier lifestyles. She’s on the leadership team for United Latino Professionals, a social networking organization focused on friends, culture, and community.

Is Mexico Our Ally or Our Enemy

Former Mexican president Vicente Fox’s dramatic declaration last Friday that his nation should seek a truce with vicious narco-trafficking gangs draws attention to a critical issue as Mexicans consider what kind of country they want to leave their children.

Fox’s suggestion also should serve as a wake-up call to our country that we should not take for granted the extraordinary sacrifice of Mexicans who are fighting the same transnational crime syndicates that threaten U.S. security and well-being.

His provocative words may also ensure that Mexico’s 2012 presidential campaign will include a healthy debate on whether its citizens are committed to building a modern, law-abiding society or prefer to tolerate drug corruption that stunts its economic and political growth.

Vicente Fox is no radical. He is the charismatic democrat who led his center-right National Action Party (PAN) to a historic victory in 2000, ousting the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) that had held power for over 70 years. Indeed, at the outset of his mandate, Fox battled the powerful narcotrafficking syndicates that control the transit of cocaine and other illegal drugs through Mexican territory to insatiable consumers in the United States. However, he backed off quickly as he realized that his security forces could not go toe-to-toe with the bloodthirsty criminals.

Before Fox, a succession of PRI governments tolerated or sanctioned truces between local narcotraffickers and local political bosses. In some cases, otherwise respectable state governors chose to prevent rampant violence by striking unsavory deals with criminals. In other jurisdictions, notorious politicians were silent partners with the cartels. Political leaders, police or judges who refused such arrangements risked violence against themselves or their communities – and they could not rely on federal authorities for any help. Fox ended his term insisting that his government would make no deals with narcos, he had to accept the fact that de facto truces kept some measure of peace on the streets even as it corrupted Mexico’s institutions.

Fox’s successor, Felipe Calderón would have none of that. He came into office declaring narcotrafficking a national security threat. And he insists that Mexico cannot thrive as a modern nation unless its laws are applied without fear or favor. The effect of his anti-narco campaign – in which he has deployed military units and federal social agencies to back-up local authorities in drug-ridden communities – has been a blood-letting of staggering proportions.

Although the 35,000 persons killed since he launched his offensive are mostly criminals caught up in gang violence, hundreds of security officials have given their lives and too many innocent civilians have been caught in the cross-fire. Moreover, bloody reprisals and turf wars have spread into Mexico City and affluent communities, and splintered gangs have taken up new violent criminal enterprises that menace millions of Mexicans. Fox’s desperate suggestion of an open truce comes on the heels of a casino bombing last week that claimed 52 lives in the well-off northern city of Monterrey.

It is fair to say that Calderón’s offensive should have been preceded by greater preparation by security forces and more robust social development programs to fortify communities against lawlessness. Indeed, launching a frontal assault has provoked a vicious backlash whose toll could not have been predicted. And, only now is Mexico beginning to build the professional police forces and effective courts that can gradually reduce drug criminality to manageable proportions.

Calderón’s critics tend to ignore altogether the corrosive effects of the past policy of tolerance and truces on Mexico’s institutions and social fabric. It is healthy for Mexicans to decide whether or how they want Calderón’s successor to continue his policy of imposing the rule of law, because such a battle requires the commitment of a nation, not only its president.

American politicians are too quick to criticize Mexico, neglecting the fact that it is our most important ally in the drug war and that its government and people are carrying more than their fair share of the burden piled high by U.S. drug abuse.

Although we have provided $1 billion in material support and training in the last five years, it is not enough. Additional funding and political solidarity – from Republicans and Democrats alike – are essential to reassuring beleaguered Mexicans that we will accept our shared responsibility.

If Mexicans elect a leader who sees narcotrafficking as the United States’ problem, that nation, in the long run, will pay a very dear price. But, so will ours. If we consider that possibility we might then demand that our leaders do more – alongside Mexico – to confront a common threat.

Roger F. Noriega was ambassador to the Organization of American States from 2001 to 2003 and assistant secretary of State from 2003 to 2005. He is a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and managing director of Vision Americas LLC.

10 Reasons Why Latinos Should Support Newt Gingrich for President

Newt Gingrich believes in the American dream for everyone. He is the one Republican candidate who talks consistently about the importance of enacting policies that allow more Latinos to realize the American dream. Gingrich is the one Republican candidate who is leading the way for more Latinos to take positions of leadership in America and the Republican Party.Here are 10 reasons why Latinos should support Newt Gingrich for president:

1. Latinos owe Obama nothing

Barack Obama promised to create more and better jobs for Latinos. He promised to fix the economy, to increase educational opportunities for our children and to solve the immigration quagmire. None of these promises were kept, and Latinos are worse off than before. That’s why Latino support for Obama has plummeted. Just because Obama is a Democrat, doesn’t mean he deserves our blind loyalty.

2. Newt Gingrich shares our conservative values

Latinos believe in family, in God, in country and in life – so much so that we protect it. We believe in good, honest, hard work. We don’t believe in handouts, just an equal opportunity to prove ourselves. We believe in patriotism and putting country before self. These values are Newt’s values and the ties that bind us.

3. Newt Gingrich knows the importance of the Latino community

50 million Latinos comprise 16% of our country’s population today. Half of our country’s population growth in the next 20 years will be generated by the growth in the Latino population. Latinos have become a key driver of our nation’s future. While the other candidates seem oblivious to this fact, Newt Gingrich has been working hard for many years to include American Hispanics in the overall conversation for a better America.

4. Newt Gingrich will fix the economy

When the economy sours, everything breaks down. People lose their jobs and stop buying. When people quit buying, the people who make the products they would have bought also lose their jobs. People without jobs pay fewer taxes so the government has less money when the unemployed need more help. So the government borrows more and goes into deeper debt. It then pays more interest, leaving even fewer dollars to help the unemployed. This domino effect must be stopped. Newt Gingrich will focus on growing the economy by instilling confidence in America and creating opportunity for those who generate jobs. He will grow the small business sector by creating financing opportunities, cutting both taxes and unnecessary regulations.

5. Newt Gingrich will create more jobs

Hispanic unemployment is 11.6% compared to the already high 9.1% nationally. When Newt Gingrich fixes the economy, jobs – including Latino jobs – will come back. Newt Gingrich is a steadfast supporter of NAFTA, and CAFTA – measures that will help make America #1 in job creation once again.

6. Newt Gingrich will make education a top priority

Our current system of education is failing all Americans, including Latinos. America has gone from #1 to #9 in educational achievement and is falling further behind. Newt Gingrich will reverse this trend by preparing our children for successful careers and productive lives starting at pre-K. He will inspire students, parents and their teachers to set the highest expectations possible. He will reward educators’ best work.

7. Newt Gingrich will tackle immigration head on

For almost four years, Barack Obama has kept immigration on the back burner, breaking his promise to address it in his first year in office. Newt Gingrich will tackle the issue and fix it. His plan starts with securing our borders and is based on a multi-step platform for issuance of more work permits to create legal workers. It will also provide a secure employment verification system and immediate deportation of criminals. All this can be implemented while respecting the sanctity and dignity of each human life.

8. Newt Gingrich has a record of Hispanic inclusion

In 2004 Newt Gingrich launched his first Spanish website Newt.org/paralatinos. In 2009 he launched TheAmericano.com, the first conservative bilingual website for American Hispanics. For the past five years, he has been writing columns for Spanish newspapers and holding roundtables with Latino leaders across the country. Newt Gingrich has studied Spanish for over five years and is becoming an accomplished Spanish speaker.

9. Newt Gingrich will keep us safe

Since 9/11, America has been on high alert. Our American men and women in our military have done our country proud. Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden are gone but the threat remains. Newt Gingrich will focus on keeping our country safe and strong while refocusing military priorities and spending only on the resources we truly need.

10. Newt Gingrich has the experience America needs

Barrack Obama’s inexperience in Washington has brought our government to a virtual standstill. America needs a president who has fought and won in the legislative arena and has the experience to lead. Past mistakes have made Newt Gingrich wiser. He is known for his keen intellect, effective leadership and bravery in the line of fire. He cuts through complicated issues to the core of the problem and will not let either political extreme dictate the future of our country.

Lionel is the founder of Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar & Associates, now Bromley Communications, the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the U.S. He has been Hispanic Media Consultant in seven Republican presidential campaigns beginning in 1980. He is a recognized expert in Hispanic consumer and voter behavior. Lionel was named‚ One of the 25 most influential Hispanics in America‚ by Time Magazine in 2005 and is a member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

FTA is the Way

Trade has been throughout history the cornerstone of relations among states. It has also been a tool to boost economic growth, generate employment, mobilize investment and stimulate social transformation. Over the centuries the world has experienced periods of trade expansion and periods of strong protectionism claiming the need to stimulate local industries, protect employment or simply for domestic political circumstances.

Latin America suffered from 1970 to 1990 a period of extreme protectionism derived from the import substitution policies. Under this theory based on developing strategic sectors, many problems took place. Uncompetitive industries became highly protected, exporters relied on Government subsidies, lack of competition, state capture by economic interests and lack of incentives for industrial transformation, were the common denominator.

During the 90s trade liberalization became a vital element of Policy Reform across the region. Some countries took the wrong approach of unilaterally opening their markets without a coherent policy to expand exports based on stable long-term rules. This approach harmed local industries and more importantly the agricultural sector when facing subsidized competitors. Acknowledging the consequences of unilateral opening, intra-regional trade agreements began to emerge simultaneously with the creation of the WTO in 1995.

During the decade between 2000 and 2010 LAC began to search for more long-term stable trade relations, and in 2003 the FTAA was launched in Miami. Unfortunately the agreement did not evolve due to domestic interest from strong political players in the region. At the same time a Global Agreement under the WTO was not moving at the desired pace.

Considering that the FTAA had derailed and that a Global Trade Agreement lost momentum, a round of bilateral trade agreements became the only feasible route to develop access to markets. Countries like Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, the Central American and Caribbean Countries began to engage in bilateral, intra-regional and extra-regional trade agreements.

Fatherly control on grandfathers’ funds

When people give up money in order to save for the upcoming, the least they expect to have in the future is the same amount of capital or more, not less. The Bismarckian pension system, diffused all over the world, nowadays works exactly the opposite. Beneficiaries are not getting what they expect making this collective capitalization scheme bear with all kinds of difficulties.

It faces a political problem given that the government has the monopoly of the Social Security and it occasionally uses the workers’ money for political purposes. The monthly contributions workers make by law go to a common fund that governments are meant to merely “administrate”, but that sometimes they employ for other purposes leaving no funds for the future.

In Ecuador, for example, the government has always counted on this fund to invest in public bonds or whatever other investment the incumbent administration chooses. Certainly, employees feel entitled to all the benefits that politicians have promised them, but sometimes they don’t get them. For instance, in order to extend the submission of benefits to workers, Spain is one of many countries to recently strategically plan for baby boomers by delaying pension collection. This is an example of measures governments take when they don’t have the payback.[1] Currently, the U.S. is short $1.26 trillion in paying for public employee pensions and other retirement benefits.[2]

Also, the system deals with a demographical trouble as the world’s trend is to have aging societies: while born rates are decreasing, medicine and technology is extending life expectancy.[3] This results in less active workers contributing to the financing of an increasing demand on elderly pensions.

El Gob. Jeb Bush habla sobre el éxito de estudiantes hispanos

El sueño Americano – la promesa asumida de seguir la posibilidad de la prosperidad y el éxito – infunde a los individuos el deseo de hacerse responsable de su futuro, aplicarse, y buscar una vida plena. Una educación de calidad es el pasaje al sue¬ño Americano. Una educación de calidad prepara los estudiantes con los conocimientos y las destrezas para tener éxito con los estudios universitarios y sus carreras.

Los Estados Unidos han sido, tradicionalmente, un país de inmigrantes, y esta tendencia continúa hoy en día. En marzo, el Centro de Investigación de Pew informó sobre un viraje tremendo en el crecimiento demográfico de nuestra nación. Según el informe, las minorías étnicas y raciales componen 91.7 por ciento del crecimiento de los Estado Unidos entre 2000 y 2010.

Los hispanos – la minoría más grande de nuestro país – componen más que la mitad de este crecimiento. De hecho, el Censo de 2010 informa que los Hispanos constituyen 16.3 por ciento de la población de los Estados Unidos.

Cuando estos individuos y sus familias participan en sus comunidades e involucrase como ciudadanos, se hacen vecinos, colegas, líderes, y votantes. Sus contribuciones formarán nuestra nación. Como estos ciudadanos son una parte crucial de nuestra sociedad, proveer los hijos de estas familias con una educación de calidad es una inversión crítica.

Lamentablemente, por toda de nuestra nación demasiados estudiantes de minorías sacan resultados por debajo de sus pares en las pruebas estandarizadas. Estos estudiantes son víctimas de los mitos tan comunes de educación, las presunciones que dicen que el origen y la experiencia del estudiante, su código postal, o nivel del salario de sus padres deciden su habilidad de aprender. Pero esto es inaceptable; el destino de nuestro país depende en el éxito de todos los estudiantes.

Saving the American Dream

What does the American Dream mean to you? Is it fame and fortune? Many Americans see it this way. But perhaps the American Dream is simply the essentials — a steady job that covers the basic expenses while providing the best life possible for your children.

As our country continues to weather one of the worst economic recessions in our history, it is perfectly appropriate to contemplate our future and ask ourselves if we are headed in the right direction. Moreover, it is worth studying whether the policies from Washington, D.C. are actually helping or hurting our chances for a better tomorrow — and our chances to live out our American Dream.

For the majority of us, the promise of a job and economic security was the biggest reason we left everything and everyone behind. For some of us, skyrocketing unemployment rates, inflation and corruption are just some of the horrid conditions we experienced first-hand in Latin America. And we count our blessings to live in a country with a high quality of life founded on liberty, freedom and democratic principles that continue to be celebrated and protected.

We Hispanics are an optimistic lot. Perhaps that’s why a recent poll conducted by Allstate National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll concluded that despite faring worse than non-Hispanics during this economic recession, we continue to remain optimistic about our future.

Unfortunately, there is a real cause for concern in both the short-term and long term for all Americans, including Hispanics. Beyond the immediate need to reduce the unemployment rate, unrestrained federal spending is poised to threaten our livelihood even more unless Washington lawmakers act, and fast. The sobering reality is that the federal government is borrowing 40 cents of every dollar it spends.

Governor Jeb Bush Discusses Hispanic Student Success

The American dream – an unspoken promise to pursue the possibility of prosperity and success – inspires individuals to take responsibility for their future, work hard and seek a full life.  A quality education is the ticket to the American dream.  A quality education equips students with the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and their careers.

America has traditionally been a country of immigrants, a trend that continues today.  In March, the Pew Research Center reported a tremendous shift in our nation’s population growth.  According to the report, racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 91.7 percent of the United States’ growth between 2000 and 2010.

Hispanics – our nation’s largest minority group – accounted for more than half of that growth.  In fact, the 2010 Census reports that Hispanics comprise 16.3 percent of the U.S. population.

As these individuals and their families engage in their communities and involve themselves as citizens, they become neighbors, co-workers, leaders and voters.  Their contributions will shape our nation. As these citizens are a crucial part of our society, providing the children of these families with a quality education is a critical investment.

Sadly, throughout our nation, too many minority students score below their peers on standardized tests.  These students are victims of education myths – assumptions that a student’s background, zip code or parents’ salary level determines their ability to learn. But this is unacceptable; our nation’s destiny depends on the success of all students.