When I first arrived in the U.S. from Colombia, I carried an invisible weight.
The pressure to prove myself.
The need to blend in.
The fear of being too much or not enough.
Like so many immigrants and high achievers, I thought success meant erasing pieces of myself. I softened my accent, downplayed my roots, and worked tirelessly to “earn my seat” at the table. But as I climbed higher, the more disconnected I became from myself.
It took years—and a few breakdowns—to realize that what I was hiding was actually my greatest source of strength. My heritage, my story, and my name (Clara Lucia, which means clear light) were never barriers. They are anchors. They instilled in me resilience, clarity, and humanity—the very qualities the world needs in leadership today.
How Culture Shapes Who We Become
Our culture is the invisible curriculum we inherit. From childhood, we’re taught what is celebrated, what is shameful, and what earns love. For many in the Hispanic community (myself included), these lessons often sound like:
- Work twice as hard to be seen.
- Don’t question authority—be grateful you’re here.
- Family comes first, even if it costs you yourself.
These messages form what psychologists call imprints—early conditioning that shapes our identities, beliefs, and leadership styles. While culture gives us strength—resilience, family orientation, hard work—it can also instill patterns that limit us: over-proving, over-pleasing, or over-sacrificing.
The first step to transformation is awareness. The second is courage: the courage to challenge the stories that no longer serve us.
Rematrixing: Rewiring the Old Patterns
Dr. Judith Wright, a pioneer in human development, refers to this process as rematrixing. Our early beliefs and habits are “matrices”—mental blueprints that define how we show up. Rematrixing means identifying those outdated blueprints and consciously reprogramming them.
For example:
- The cultural matrix: “If I slow down, I’ll fall behind.”
- The rematrixed belief: “When I pause, I gain clarity and power.”
- The cultural matrix: “My value comes from serving everyone else first.”
- The rematrixed belief: “I serve best when I honor my own needs, too.”
Transformation doesn’t happen by rejecting our culture—it happens when we integrate the strengths and release the limits. We hold onto resilience, hard work, and family devotion—but we let go of the pressure to prove or please constantly.
The Growth Mindset of Servant Leaders
One of the most potent ways to rematrix is by cultivating a growth mindset—a term popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck. A growth mindset views challenges not as threats to one’s identity, but as opportunities for learning and growth.
In leadership, this shift is profound:
- Instead of fearing mistakes, growth-minded leaders model curiosity and resilience.
- Instead of clinging to control, they practice humility and empower others.
- Instead of performing to be seen, they serve to create impact.
This is the essence of servant leadership—leading not from ego or pressure, but from purpose and presence. It requires courage to step out of inherited cultural scripts and instead ask, ‘What values do I want to pass forward?‘ How can I use my roots to anchor me, not chain me?
Practical Reflection: Rematrixing Your Leadership
Here’s a practice you can try this week:
- Name the Matrix: Write down one cultural message you grew up with about success, love, or leadership.
- Challenge It: Ask yourself—does this belief still serve me, or does it drain me?
- Rematrix It: Rewrite the belief in a way that honors your heritage but empowers your future.
Example: Instead of “I can’t say no or I’ll disappoint people,” rematrix to “My no creates space for my best yes.”
Post this new vow somewhere visible. Read it aloud when the old script tries to take over.
Closing Thought
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I invite you to see your roots as your greatest resource. They carry the stories, struggles, and strengths of generations before you. But remember—you have the power to choose which patterns to carry forward and which to rematrix.
Your heritage doesn’t hold you back. It anchors you.
Your story isn’t a weight. It’s a compass.
And when you lead with that clarity—rooted yet reimagined—you don’t just change your life. You help transform the culture of leadership itself.
Reach out to me, take a Power Pause HERE. Let’s discuss how your culture supports and hinders your leadership influence.