Latinas Bring New Skills to Work

As Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor moves through the confirmation process in the U.S. Senate, we are likewise witnessing a new cohort advancing to the levers of power and influence in this country: the wise Latina.

Just as Generation X or Generation Y possess certain characteristics that define their leadership styles, are there common traits that drive Latinas? Yes indeed, and their heritage is a huge asset, according to a report done by the Center for Work-Life Policy.

Writing about the findings in her Harvard Business Publishing blog post Sotomayor and the "Wise Latina" Vanguard, Sylvia Ann Hewlett reports that this group demonstrates:

• Top-of-the-charts work ethic; propensity to get the job done.
• Respect for all generations.
• Knowledge of one's own tradition, history and language.
• Excellent collaborators with an aptitude for community outreach.

"Drawing upon a heritage that is rich in transferable skill sets -- work ethic, collaborative leadership, cultural fluency -- Latinas have extraordinary potential in the executive suite. Potential is the key word here. The fact is, many of the rich assets Latinas bring to the workplace are either ignored or denied by employers. Negative stereotypes are alive and well â€" impeding progress, undermining trust and increasing 'flight risk' among Latinas."