Customer Reviews

Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age

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Juana Bordas' Salsa, Soul and Spirit belongs on the book shelf of every forward-thinking leader, management expert and leadership trainer. In compelling, personal language, she makes the case for the development of new leadership practices that reflect the realities of today's multicultural society. In challenging times when it is easy to feel discouraged by the divisions and "isms" of politics and social ills, the author shines a light on a new path of hope and collaboration. This book should find its way quickly into the required reading lists of leadership programs across the country and beyond.

Praise for Salsa, Soul, and Spirit

"This wonderful book made me want to dance with joy. In Western society, we suffer from a loss of community and spirit because we're so disconnected. American Indian, Latino and African American cultures have never forgotten that we need to be together, and that diversity is not a problem, but a blessing. May this book lead you to discover what we've been missing-- each other."

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Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age

This is a wonderful book with several important dimensions. It tells the story of the author, a Latina who emigrated from Nicaragua to the United States as a child, and succeeded in American society while staying close to her ethnic roots. It also tells the stories of Latino, Black, and American Indian leaders. Most important, it provides background on the history, faith, and values of Latino (salsa), Black (soul), and American Indian (spirit) leadership traditions. The principles Bordas draws from these leadership traditions are principles that our country badly needs today. They remind us that leadership is conferred by the community, and leaders are expected to work for the common good, not their personal gain. Leaders should also be guardians of public values. They need to learn from the past, honor the collective identity, and promote a spirit of generosity, gratitude, hope, and forgiveness. This book will help the read understand the Latino, Black, and American Indian leadership traditions. Even better, it will help the reader understand what good leadership really is.

This is an amazing book, not just for corporate types and CEOs but those who want and need a better perspective on the elements of diversity already at work in our lives. Brava!! Run out and get copies for yourself, family, friends, libraries and workplaces.

Bordas covers the historical aspects of oppressed groups in the U.S. and ties them in to present day quite well. This is a fairly easy read and for those who haven't been exposed to multicultural leadership or the events leading up to today's social injustices of people of color, this is a great book to start with.

Salsa, Soul, and Spirit is one of the most timely, relevant and up-lifting books I've read in recent memory. It should be read and studied by everyone from the President down to the grassroots community activist. In a country deeply divided by red state/blue state animosities, culture wars and "hot button" issues like immigration policy, Bordas shows us the way forward. She argues persuasively that the idea of a New Social Covenant and the leadership practices summarized in her Eight Principles of Multicultural Leadership are not theoritical and optional but are essential if America is to fully address its plethora of social ills and reach its full potential. After reading this book my concept of "leadership" will never be the same. Bordas' simple yet profound insight is that all positive social change begins with leadership and her choice of examples from the Black, Latino and American Indian communities is truly enlightening.

It was my honor to read this phenomenal book. I love that Juana Bordas included the Sankofa principles! I cried as I read the author's personal journey to become educated. When I left New Orleans in 2001 I had previously earned a Master's Degree and was a Title I Coordinator of Instruction in the New Orleans Public Schools. My mother did not understand why I would leave a "good job" in the School District to go back to school to get another degree. What would I do with a Doctorate? It is important to know how our familial relationships influence our personal journeys. In the spirit of Sankofa we honor and respect our heritage by integrating our individuality into the traditional Western style of leadership. I am honored to hold fast to my heritage and join the new paradigm for Leadership in a Multicultural Age.

I wish Salsa, Soul, and Spirit had been written ten years ago. As a young Latina this book would have given me an appreciation of the many contributions my culture has made as well as Black and American Indians people. I can assure you I didn't learn this in college. This is why this book is so important. As America becomes a multicultural nation, we need to know the stories and contributions of all people. It was especially enlightening to learn about outstanding leaders in communities of color and how our leadership has stayed true to our values and vision for the future.

I encourage anyone interested in our changing cultural climate to have a look at this book. Bordas is an informed and engaging author, and she gives a prescient view of leadership as it is taking shape today.

Lots to think about and very timely for today's changing world. I love different people and cultures and this book offers key insights into America's great diversity. Read this book if you care about our future and want to have a world where people love and respect each other.