HHM October 2024: RC Blog
Earlier this month, I was honored to give the Hispanic Heritage Month keynote at Dell in my back yard in Round Rock, Texas. Below is a glimpse of that speech, recognizing the power of intentionality and resolve in leadership – values that I believe have directly enabled this generation of Hispanic leaders in any industry to thrive.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I am reminded of the incredible resilience, strength, and determination that define our community. These qualities have shaped who I am today and continue to inspire me as I navigate the challenges of leadership, business, and life. This year, I’m honored to share a message close to my heart—one that speaks to the power of Intentionality and Resolve in times of uncertainty, and values that I believe are crucial to the success of Hispanic business and community leaders.
Being Intentional: Choosing to Thrive
We live in unprecedented times, filled with challenges that could easily overwhelm us if we let them. Yet, I believe we’re not just meant to survive the turbulence; we’re meant to thrive through it and rise above it. Thriving requires an intentional mindset, a daily choice to stretch, plan, work, advocate, dream, and execute our goals, even when setbacks or knockdowns come our way.
When discussing my background and path to success, I often speak about what I call “G.R.I.T.”—Growth, Resolve, Intention & Purpose, and Tenacity. Each of these elements is essential to personal development and leadership, but our individual growth all begins with intentionality. Being deliberate about your growth, committing to a steady course, and realizing that your purpose is bigger than just yourself—that is what separates those who thrive from those who merely survive – especially as it relates to our growth through overcoming challenges, difficult climates, and obstacles we might face along our journey.
As Jim Collins reminds us in Great by Choice, the myth that bold, risk-seeking visionaries are the most successful leaders is simply that—a myth. The most effective leaders aren’t the ones who foresee every crisis; they’re the ones who stay disciplined and creative during the storm. They embrace resolve, maintaining their course through the most turbulent times.
Embracing “Resolve Leadership”
Resolve is something deeply personal to me. I define it as “deciding firmly on a course of action,” a concept I had to live by during my time serving President George W. Bush and my former long-time boss and mentor Clay Johnson at the White House, especially watching POTUS Bush through the 9/11 crisis. It wasn’t about knowing what was going to happen next, but rather staying steadfast, immovable, resolved, resilient and reliable as a leader.
In every aspect of life—whether leading at home, at work, or in our communities—people watch us. We set the example. And it is in those critical moments in the behavior and display of our resolve that we define ourselves as leaders; what I call the “make or break” moments in life.
Resolve Leads to Action: Leadership is not just about making decisions; it’s about behaving in ways that reflect those decisions. Being steadfast doesn’t mean being inflexible, but rather having the patience to let your course of action unfold and produce results over time.
The Power of Emotional Intelligence: In the workplace, emotional intelligence is often the secret sauce to effective leadership. Self-awareness, the ability to manage our emotions, and avoiding negative emotional triggers are essential. These triggers are often rooted in past traumas, and dealing with them is a continual process. It’s okay to seek help, and it’s okay to not have arrived yet—what matters is the journey toward becoming a more emotionally aware and intentional leader. As a matter of fact, when (not IF) we blow it, we own it and chart a different course that involves remorse and action.
At my company AvantGarde, this is a cornerstone of how we lead. We strive to lead with love, transparency, and empathy, creating an environment where people feel empowered to bring their full selves to work. I am proud to lead a team of managers at AG that demonstrate each day what it looks like to lead, not only in our high times but also in those challenging times of growth and difficulty.
Accountability in Action: Today’s culture often lacks accountability. It’s easy to blame others or external circumstances for our failures. But real leaders know that transparency and accountability are crucial for long-term success. When we blow it—and trust me, we all do—we own it. We don’t point fingers, we don’t condemn. Instead, we embrace the opportunity to take personal responsibility and grow from it.
Failure isn’t something to fear; it’s a powerful teacher for forward movement. John Maxwell’s Failing Forwardbook reminds us that the difference between average people and achievers is how they perceive and respond to failure. At AvantGarde, we embrace failure as a stepping stone toward success. It’s how we learn, how we adapt, and how we strengthen our resolve.
Leading with Grit and Love
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on our roots, our culture, and the legacy we’re building for future generations. For me, that legacy is grounded in leadership—leading with resolve, with intentionality, and with love. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or guiding your family through difficult times, remember that leadership isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about staying the course with determination, learning from failure, and embracing the power of emotional intelligence to lift others along the way.
As we honor the contributions of Hispanic Americans this month, let us also honor the leadership within us all—the resolve to thrive, not just survive, and the courage to lead with purpose and heart.
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