Lead Like a Latina Mom: Bold Lessons in Modern Leadership

By: JoAnna Leon

What do chanclas, tamales, and heartfelt dinner-table lectures have to do with leadership? Everything—if you were raised by a Mexican mom. Fierce, loving, resourceful, and never afraid to speak hard truths, Mexican moms are natural leaders wrapped in aprons and wisdom. My husband’s Abuelita was no exception—she could’ve been a drill sergeant in another life. She traveled alone by bus to America with seven children, little money, and no home, determined to reach her cousin’s house in Chicago to build a better life. Her door was always open to anyone facing hardship. There was always enough rice, beans, and caldo to feed whoever needed a meal. Church and Sunday dinner weren’t optional, and as the family grew, you ate in assigned shifts—oldest first, then youngest, and everyone in between. And in her house, women always ate first.

As I worked through leadership frameworks and competencies, my thoughts kept returning to Grandma Mora—a woman I deeply admired. She taught me what it meant to be a wife, a mother, and, just as importantly, a woman who could break generational norms. The most important lesson I learned from her was to never apologize for wanting more, for working outside the home, or for raising daughters who would do the same. This article is a reflection of the leadership lessons I’ve learned and how the legacy of a little spitfire from Michoacán, Mexico continues to shape the way I lead—with heart, strength, and unapologetic purpose.

1. Know Yourself (aka “¿Quién te crees que eres?”)

Latina moms know who they are and where they come from—and they’ll remind you if you forget. Latina moms lead from a deep sense of purpose, values, and responsibility to others. They don’t wait for permission to take action—they see a need and fill it. As leaders, when we own our story (including our chancla-wielding ancestors), we show up with authenticity and courage. Embrace your whole identity—cultural, personal, and professional. Know your “why,” and lead from it unapologetically.

2. Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making (“Haz lo que tengas que hacer.”)

Latina moms are the queens of resourcefulness. Who needs a five-step logic model when she’s already whipped up dinner, found a lost shoe, and paid the bills with yesterday’s leftovers? Strategic thinking doesn’t always look like boardroom charts—it can look like prioritizing essentials with limited resources and staying three steps ahead of chaos. Strategic thinking is about adaptability and foresight. Trust your gut, map the vision, and use every tool—even duct tape and Vicks VapoRub—if that’s what it takes.

3. Organizational Culture (“Aquí se respetan las reglas.”)

Culture starts at home. You knew exactly what tone, behavior, and expectations were set the moment you walked into a Mexican mamá’s house. Respect? Non-negotiable. Gratitude? Expected. Chisme? Optional—but inevitable. Build a culture where people feel safe, valued, and responsible to the collective. Sprinkle in a little celebration, tradition, and pride for who you are.

4. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (“Todos comen.”)

If your Latina mom had ten tamales and 15 guests, everyone still ate—and probably had seconds. That’s inclusion. Mexican moms lead with generosity and equity, ensuring no one is left out, whether at the table or in a decision. True inclusion is active. Speak up. Invite others in. Share your space. And always save a plate for someone who didn’t ask.

5. Change and Innovation Management (“¡Así se ha hecho siempre!”)

Yes, Latina moms have their sacred traditions (don’t mess with the mole), but they also evolve. They learned how to video call, use emojis, and Venmo birthday money. That balance between tradition and innovation. Change doesn’t mean throwing everything out—it means honoring the past while stepping into the future. Lead change with heart. Respect what was, imagine what could be, and create space for the awkward transition in between.

6. Communication Skills for Effective Leadership (“Mírame cuando te hablo.”)

Communication isn’t just about words. Latina moms communicate with the look, the tone, the body language—and the follow-up lecture. They know that clarity, empathy, and storytelling are powerful tools. Whether comforting or correcting, Latina moms model direct, heartfelt communication that gets through. Communicate with presence. Use your voice, face, and story to connect. People follow what they feel, not just what they hear.

7. Motivation and Momentum (“Échale ganas.”)

Let’s be honest: no one motivates like a Latina mom. Whether it's a tough pep talk, a surprise plate of enchiladas, or just a whispered “I believe in you,” she keeps you moving forward—even when you want to give up. Be the leader who believes in others more than they believe in themselves—until they do. Push, support, repeat.

Heritage-driven leaders may not be running associations (well, some are), but their legacy lives on in every professional shaped by their no-nonsense, all-heart approach. Leadership teaches us to be intentional, inclusive, strategic, and self-aware—just like every mom who’s ever said, “te lo digo por tu bien.”

Lead like a Latina mom—and you’ll lead with corazón and chancla in equal measure.

JoAnna Leon is the Director of Membership & Chapters at WERC and Managing Director of CICMHE for Material Handling Industry (MHI). She is an ASAE DELP Scholar and frequent contributor to MHI Solutions Magazine, focused on membership engagement, workforce development, and academic-industry collaboration.

AI Assistance Disclosure: Grammarly and ChatGPT were used to support clarity, grammar, and structure. These tools were used as assistive aids due to the author’s dyslexia and adult-onset processing issues. All ideas, content, and final editorial decisions are the author’s own.