10 WAYS LATINA LEADERS CRUSH 2021
10 WAYS LATINA LEADERS CRUSH 2021
To say last year was hard would be an understatement.
The year 2020 was one of the most challenging years in the job market, the business world, and the economy. Many people lost their jobs, and competition has been fierce for new positions. It’s been especially difficult for women, and women of color in particular. The US. Department of Labor reported this year that four times as many women as men left the workforce between August and September. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black and Latinx women have been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, experiencing job loss at a rate higher than white women.
This is also one of the most emotionally draining times in recent history. A survey from the Time’s Up Foundation found that while most people are experiencing increased negative mental health impacts from the pandemic, women and women of color are suffering the most.
Despite these very real physical, emotional, and economic impacts, this is also a time where we can practice our resilience and develop our ability to remain focused. As women of color in business, we must continue to work hard and work smart to become the unstoppable leaders we know we are.
As we turn the corner into 2021, it’s time for a new kind of New Year’s Resolution. Despite the obstacles you may have faced last year, you can absolutely succeed as a female leader of color in the workplace. Let’s all resolve to shake off 2020 and stride into the New Year with confidence.
Here are ten tips for putting your best foot forward in 2021:
1. Set manageable goals.
Choose two to three SMART goals that you can accomplish in the next six months. This will make planning and implementing more manageable.
“As a Latina leader and small business owner, I consistently create opportunities for myself. This year, I created an Uplift & Be Well Annual Summit event for working professionals. I work hard on remaining consistent with my brand with the hopes that the economy will pick up in the next year, and I continue to inspire others by making a mark in the world based on goals that I set up for myself for the next six months. These include creating a women’s virtual leadership group and launching leadership spring programs. Ultimately, I’m staying hopeful and remaining open to creativity and innovation.” - Nyrka Riskin
2. Take time for reflection.
Reflect on how you are moving forward in both your personal and business life. After a period of stillness, you will be able to see your path forward more clearly.
“As we turn the page into a new year, I think it is important to develop a habit to write down three goals for the coming year. I usually write two that are professional goals and one that is either a personal or family goal. The professional goals can be as varied as achieving a new certification, attending a class or conference, or developing a new skill. The personal or family goal should be focused on something you love to do, either by yourself or with friends and family. My family goal is typically travel-oriented. All of these goals help me get inspired, energized, and fill me with hope for the future.” - Dr. Silviana Falcon
3. Give back to causes you feel passionate about.
When you have time, volunteer and serve on boards of non-profit organizations. This will provide a sense of purpose, and you can bring that same energy and focus into the business world.
“I often volunteer for organizations that promote education and professionalism in young women from all backgrounds and races. It gives me purpose and I can bring that same energy when I am speaking in front of audiences or training managers and supervisors in their leadership skills.” - Nyrka Riskin
4. Walk the walk.
Be a professional. Focus on what you bring to the table as a person: your own beliefs, experiences, and creativity. This shifts the focus from your background to your confidence, and promotes a business environment that is open and diverse.
“I think it is important to share the wisdom we learn from going through our life’s journey. That experience gives us the confidence and maturity to face new challenges and help others avoid the same mistakes. I run my own business inside and out. It gives me the confidence to speak intelligently about the business environment as well as the challenges and opportunities available to business owners.” - Dr. Silviana Falcon
5. Be consistent.
If you are consistent, people will trust you and follow your lead. Be reliable and set expectations early. This shows you will provide the same service, professionalism, and product every single time. Consistency encourages partnerships and collaborations.
“I have always treated clients the same way, starting on the first day I meet with them. I strive to be professional and reliable. I am always consistent in my messaging; from the way I communicate to the way I dress. I want them to know that if they call me, they are always getting professional attention and an outstanding level of service. This way, I am able to create a positive reputation for myself no matter what industry I am in. For example, six years ago I had a one-time project with a client. After six years, they still remembered that first experience and hired me again based on the work that I had performed.” - Nyrka Riskin
6. Invest in yourself.
There are so many networking events, conferences, and training opportunities online. Set a goal to attend one or two per month to ignite new ideas and see the world from a different perspective. Inviting different ideas into your mind is healthy.
“I remember wanting to own my own house. I envisioned it being white, with a red door and a picket fence. Maybe a dog. My fiancée and I visited a builder to see about building the house of our dreams. When he explained how much it would cost, I was shocked. I had never seen so many zeros in my life. It was deflating. As we left, I got in the car and said, ‘Why is it so expensive anyway? It’s a bunch of concrete, rebar and wood.’ My fiancée replied, ‘Well, I bet I can build it if you go to school to learn how. You are smart.’ That is all it took. I focused, studied and became the first Latina woman to hold a Residential State License. We married and built our house, sold it, and built some more. Now we own a small contracting business. And it all started with an idea and a little bit of training.” - Dr. Silviana Falcon
7. Practice self-care.
Take care of your mind, body, and spirit during this challenging time. Take walks and move your body. Listen to a new podcast. Make time for moments of peace and quiet. Nourishing yourself is more important than ever.
“It is really important to re-evaluate your goals especially after this challenging year. In order to do so, you need to do a whole lot of self-care, whatever that looks like for you. It could be eating well, exercising, meditating, listening to motivational speakers and podcasts, or anything else that recharges your batteries. In order to be great at anything, you need to be well first.” - Nyrka Riskin
8. Don’t be afraid to take risks.
Times are especially uncertain, but now is as good a time as ever to pursue your dreams. You may not want to quit your job and make a career change, but you can start investing some time in a side project you feel passionate about (however small).
“Taking a leap of faith by becoming an entrepreneur and starting the business of my dreams was no easy task. But I was confident from my 20+ years of work experience and my diverse background. I knew I could do it. I had so much to offer to the world and I wanted to see a new crop of Latina leaders like me. Currently, I have the Women in Leadership program which I launched last year through my business. Eighteen women leaders from all backgrounds attended and successfully earned certificates. It was a lifelong dream that was finally fulfilled: a room full of women leaders ready to change the world! If I can do it, then any woman can do it too. Leave it to this Puerto Rican girl with big dreams.” - Nyrka Riskin
9. Take baby steps.
Give yourself permission to slow down. Slower movement is still movement in the right direction.
“When I coach clients, I always tell them to choose between one to three goals for the next six months. It is impossible to achieve a large number of goals in such a short time, not well at least. You need to give yourself plenty of time and space to be able to move forward in your life.” - Nyrka Riskin.
10. Remember your voice has an impact.
Even if you feel stuck right now, it’s almost guaranteed you’re making a positive impact on someone, somewhere, somehow. Just remember that wherever you’re at in your career, your presence makes the world a better place whether you can see it or not.
“Over the years as a hospital administrator, I lost count of all the parents I had spoken to about drug abuse. One day, I was in the elevator when a gentleman entered and greeted me. He said he recognized me and spoke about the time his son was hospitalized. He shared that his son was in recovery still and he cherished each day that he could say that. Then, as we both exited the elevator, he turned and thanked me for spending time with him and his wife that awful day when his son’s addiction almost took his life. I said, ‘I doubt I did anything remarkable,’ and he replied, ‘I believe you’re wrong. You gave me hope. And every day, I rise with that hope.’ His comment took me by surprise. I did not think my voice had the strength to echo in anyone’s life outside my own.” - Dr. Silviana Falcon
Remember that no matter how many setbacks you experience, tomorrow is a new day. With persistence and a sense of purpose, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Now, let’s get out there and crush this new year.
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Nyrka Riskin is a Latina business leader and coach. In 2020, she created the Uplift & Be Well Annual Summit, an event on leadership and wellness for working professionals navigating the pandemic, and a Women in Leadership 5-Week Certificate program that explores the challenges women face in leadership positions.
Dr. Silviana Falcon is a professor of business at Florida Southern College, and has had a rich career as an entrepreneur and hospital administrator. She is currently writing a book inviting innovation into higher education.