Let’s be honest. Most leadership development programs are built around skill-building—communication, decision-making, strategy. And while skills matter, they’re not the whole story. In fact, they’re not even the main story.

Because lasting transformation doesn’t happen just because you learn a new tool.

It happens when you start to see yourself differently. When you begin to become the leader your people already believe you can be.

For BIPOC and Latina and Latino leaders, this is especially true.

We carry cultural expectations, family responsibility, and often the weight of proving ourselves in spaces not built for us. La Crítica Interna (the Inner Critic) whispers that we’re not ready, not enough, not legitimate.

And no amount of skills training alone silences that voice.

The truth is this:

Behavior follows identity.

If you don’t believe deep down that you are a confident, effective leader, then no framework, no workshop, no MBA is going to make that stick.

That’s why so many training efforts fail: they teach the what but never touch the who.

The Real Reason Leadership Training Doesn’t Stick

Most development programs focus on competencies—what you should do—without addressing the internal blockers that keep you from doing it.

At Changemaker!, we call those blockers The BAG We Carry™—our Beliefs, Assumptions, and Guardians. These are the invisible weights that make us question ourselves, play small, or hesitate to step forward.

When identity is ignored, here’s what happens:

• Leaders perform well in workshops but freeze in real-life moments.

• “Engagement” is shallow and short-lived.

• Innovation stalls because fear of failure outweighs possibility.

• Talented Latino leaders leave, not because they lack skills, but because they never felt safe being themselves.

The missing question isn’t: What do we want them to do?

It’s:

Who do they need to become to do this with confidence, consistency, and authenticity?

From Skills Training to Identity Work

This isn’t fluff. It’s strategy. Because when leaders start to see themselves as the kind of person who leads with clarity and confianza, everything shifts:

• They step into hard conversations with courage.

• They inspire trust without performing.

• They stop chasing perfection and start embodying purpose.

So how do you build identity-first leadership?

Here are three powerful ways:

1. Future Self Visioning

Future Self science reminds us: people are pulled forward by a vision of their Future Self, not pushed by their past.

For Latina and Latino leaders, this means connecting to the version of yourself that already leads with confianza and clarity.

Try asking yourself:

• “Describe your ideal self as a leader 12 months from now.”

• “How does that version of you handle conflict or give feedback?”

• “What would your team say about your leadership?”

This isn’t daydreaming. It’s rewiring. When you emotionally connect to your Future Self, you begin making choices today that align with that vision.

2. Unpack The BAG We Carry™

Kegan & Lahey’s Immunity to Change shows us why people resist change: hidden commitments and fears are protecting them.

For Latina and Latino leaders, those fears often come from cultural scripts:

• “Don’t rock the boat,”

• “Work twice as hard to be accepted,”

• “Keep the family proud.”

Our BAG framework helps leaders surface these truths:

• Beliefs: “What do I believe that might be holding me back?”

• Assumptions: “What must be true for that belief to feel real?”

• Guardians: “What protective behaviors am I using to stay safe?”

When you name these, you stop being controlled by them.

You shift from fear to agency.

3. Embrace Growth Mindset

Dr. Carol Dweck’s research reminds us: ability isn’t fixed, it grows.

For Latina and Latino leaders, this is liberation. We’ve been conditioned to avoid mistakes because the cost feels too high. But leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present.

When you reframe failure as proof you’re learning, you create space for authenticity and courage.

Try asking weekly:

• “Where did I stretch myself this week?”

• “What did I learn by getting it wrong?”

Over time, these reflections reshape your story—from “I must prove I belong” to “I am becoming the leader my people need.”

A Small Step for Today

Take five minutes and write a letter from your Future Self—the leader you want to be a year from now.

Start with: “I am proud of you because…”

Let that voice guide you more than La Crítica Interna. Because your people don’t need a flawless leader.

They need an authentic one.

Final Word: Culture Change Starts With You

If you want your organization’s culture to evolve, start with yourself.

Don’t just learn skills. Shape identity.

Don’t just lead for results. Lead for transformation.

Because when you stop carrying the BAG that holds you back, you don’t just grow as a leader.

You create the kind of culture where others can grow too.

👉 Ready to unpack your BAG and step into identity-first leadership? Visit our Coaching Page to learn more.