‘Ponte las pilas’ - Coaching for Latinx Leaders
“Ponte las pilas”.
If you grew up in a Latinx household, you probably heard your parents say this to you more times than you can count. I know I did.
When I try to explain what this means to non-Spanish speakers, saying “put your batteries in” doesn’t quite hit the same. There’s just *something* about hearing your parents tell you to “ponerte las pilas” that could either send shivers down your spine about your inadequacy in the world, or inspire you to get your act together and become a better version of yourself. Either way, the context matters and if you are at all like me, now as an adult you might tell yourself to “ponerte las pilas” at work, at home, or in any other part of your life when you feel like you are not quite doing enough.
These cultural phrases stick and define how we think about ourselves. And these little micro-experiences are part of what make you as a Latinx person whole. These are also exactly the nuances about who we are that can make us feel “othered” when working in an environment where our cultural practices are not the norm nor the status quo. Trying to be understood and seen even in the most inclusive workplaces is still an uphill battle for any person who doesn’t identify as a cisgendered white man. It takes a lot more work to explain or show who we are in an effort to be authentic, and it takes a lot more work to mask who we are in an effort to fit in. We walk an invisible tight rope between being seen as a “good” employee and being seen as ourselves.
That’s why in your journey in developing yourself as a leader it can be helpful to work with someone who just “gets it”. Someone who understands how you grew up, who speaks your language (literally and figuratively), and with whom you don’t have to spend extra time and energy explaining yourself to.
With my Latinx clients, we have the unique opportunity to jump right into the heart of things, to seamlessly switch from English to Spanish whenever it’s easier to express something in the other language, and to feel truly deeply seen in a way that you might not get to experience at work on a regular basis.
I know when I’ve worked with coaches and therapists who come from a similar culture as I do, I’ve always appreciated being able to be fully myself: Colombian, American, woman, and everything in between. 🇨🇴
If this resonates with you, reach out! My practice is full of clients from around the world and I enjoy bringing my global perspective to our work.
(Bonus: I also speak French from the many years I spent living in France and I very much enjoy working cross-culturally with French clients too). 🇫🇷
The benefits of embracing your full self, both as a coach and as a leader, will go far beyond the power of a single session. Coming alive as your full self is the purpose of coaching. Together we’ll get you there.