Let’s be real—getting buy-in for leadership development is tough.

Especially when the impact you’re creating is real, but the metrics feel… invisible.

This is the challenge so many Latina and Latino CEOs and mission-driven leaders face. Funders, boards, and even staff want “proof” that development efforts are working.

But the most important outcomes—confidence, trust, identity shifts—don’t always show up on a spreadsheet.

And let’s be honest—sometimes the impact feels invisible because we’re trying to solve deep, adaptive problems with surface-level solutions.

Traditional training focuses on teaching content, not changing behavior.

And the ROI tools that follow? They measure attendance, not transformation.

The Invisible Impact of Leadership Growth

If you’ve ever been asked to “prove ROI” and felt stuck, you’re not alone.

Consider this scenario:

You invest in a leadership retreat for your managers. A few months later, your board asks: “What’s the ROI?”

You report:

• 25 managers completed the training

• 90% said it was “highly relevant”

• Knowledge tests improved by 30%

But what they really want to know is:

• Did trust increase?

• Are leaders showing up with clarity and courage?

• Is the culture shifting in a way that drives impact?

And those are harder to measure—but far more meaningful.

From Activities to Transformation

Here’s the truth: Most ROI tools were built for technical problems (clear answers, quick fixes).

But you’re leading adaptive change—where people themselves must grow, shift identity, and change behaviors.

That means:

• Checking a box on attendance isn’t enough.

• Counting “completed trainings” misses the point.

• What matters is whether leaders are showing up differently.

At Changemaker!, we flip the script.

Because culture isn’t built in workshops.

It’s built in behavior.

Step 1: Measure the BAG We Carry™

Every Latino leader carries a BAG—Beliefs, Assumptions, and Guardians—that silently shapes behavior.

• Beliefs: The inner story (“I need to prove my worth”).

• Assumptions: The unspoken rules (“If I speak up, I’ll be seen as difficult”).

• Guardians: The protective habits (perfectionism, overworking, staying quiet).

When you measure growth at the level of the BAG, you begin to track identity shift, not just skill uptake.

Example: Instead of measuring “Did managers attend a feedback workshop?”—ask, “How many now consistently give feedback that builds trust?”

That’s not just learning. That’s transformation.

Step 2: Distinguish Technical vs. Adaptive Metrics

• Technical metrics: Attendance, test scores, satisfaction surveys.

• Adaptive metrics: Trust, psychological safety, vulnerability, consistency in living values.

If your goal is culture change, adaptive metrics are what matter.

Step 3: Track Culture in Motion

Culture lives in behavior. And behavior happens at every level:

• Organization: Retention, engagement, equity audits.

• Team: Trust, peer feedback, co-creation.

• Leader: How often they model vulnerability, invite feedback, or empower others.

These are measurable shifts that reveal the culture evolving.

Step 4: Mix Numbers with Narratives

Data is powerful, but stories give it life. Pair the metrics with transformation stories:

• The manager who went from avoiding conflict to leading tough conversations with grace.

• The team that started naming their BAG and showing up with honesty.

• The CEO who silenced La Crítica Interna and finally led with confidence.

That’s impact you can see, feel, and measure.

The Question Stakeholders Really Care About

At the end of the day, boards and funders want proof that leadership development is moving the mission forward.

That’s why we help Latina and Latino leaders tie growth to outcomes like:

• Lower turnover (protecting your mission’s talent).

• Higher retention of diverse leaders.

• Leadership behaviors that actually align with your organization’s values.

Because when identity shifts, everything else does too.

Final Word: Make the Invisible Visible

Leadership isn’t just about learning skills.

It’s about becoming the leader your mission needs.

And the good news is—you can measure that.

By tracking behaviors, stories, and BAG shifts, you turn invisible growth into visible transformation.

Because when behavior becomes the measure, your impact becomes undeniable.

👉 Ready to measure what actually matters? Visit our Coaching Page and apply for the Effective Leadership Challenge—the first step to building confident, identity-first leadership that drives lasting change.

About the Author
Raúl T. Pereyra helps Latino CEOs and mission-driven leaders lead with confidence and clarity. As a transformational coach and creator of The BAG We Carry™, he guides changemakers to overcome self-doubt, silence La Crítica Interna, and step fully into the leader they were meant to be.