Like many of you, I subscribe to numerous informational resources (Google, RSS, etc.) that send me alerts, emails, and links to research or studies on a given topic (if you’re not doing this you should be!). As you might guess, information that I receive focuses on the Hispanic workforce, Hispanics and college trends, and other related information. With the wealth of information that I browse daily, most of what I read discusses what “needs to be done” or “what hasn’t been done” to improve or increase the situation of Hispanics in a number of environments.
While I don’t argue that much work is still needed on a number of fronts, I’m gratified to see how much is already being done – and done well – by people, organizations, and communities that are making a difference. However, when I read articles like this one regarding University of Texas Pan American, or Western Oregon University, or this article by Dr. Lorelle Espinosa (now one of my favorite researchers!), I wonder why other organizations and communities do not model similar paths toward success. What keeps others from using a successful solution and applying it somewhere else? I often hear people say that identifying problems is easy, finding solutions is the bigger challenge. I’m not sure I completely agree. Given the number of solutions that can be modeled, literally waiting on the shelf, I think it still comes down to commitment and implementation. In my view, even the best solutions still rely heavily on strong leadership to create change.
Miguel, nice post! Action is built on the important factor of being aware of the situation and accepting that change is necessary.
Indeed Jose, leadership is all about moving something forward that would otherwise be another “plan on the shelf.” Thanks for your comment!