Soul, Salsa and Spirit

Leadership for a Multicultural Age

By: Juana Bordas

Narrated by: Millie Santiago

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

As the world becomes flatter and globalization creates a world village, it is imperative that leaders have the cultural flexibility and adaptability to inspire and guide people from very distinct backgrounds that represent the whole rainbow of humanity. Salsa, Soul and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Nation puts forth a multicultural leadership model that integrates eight practices from African American, Indian, and Latino communities.

©2007 Juana Bordas (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

An Introduction for the Novice

Juana Bordas has pulled together disparate disciplines and histories to introduce three ethnic minorities to the listener; African American, Latino, and American Indian. The book is well written and the reading of Millie Santiago is excellent. That said, I am concerned that the book stereotypes Anglos in ways that just do not represent my experience with the group. For example, Bordas infers Anglos do not have the sense of community or charity that Anglos have. She points only to data showing that African Americans contribute 25% of their disposable income to charity. She infers that Anglos do not have a sense of community as the Latinos. Their actions may take different forms, but are present nonetheless. Next, she makes the point that all of these groups have suffered oppression and are, hence, held back today. That is a point well taken. Her weakest sections appear as she ostensibly links leadership and the cultural superior behaviors she details in the earlier part of the book. Her conclusions are simply superficial. The reader craves knowing how to manage and be managed by what she terms in her title “Leadership for a Multicultural Age.” In a diverse workforce, we need all hands on deck, but she gives us no concrete ways to utilize this leadership potential. In addition, there is nothing really new in this book unless one is totally unaware of the history of oppression, the literature related to Liberation Theology, or the labor movement in this country. For example, she repeatedly alludes to community as a cultural variable which has been well covered by Gurt Hofsted (1980) and taught in college courses for 30 years. If one is totally unaware of multicultural leadership theory or application or the events leading up to today’s social justice movement, this book is for you. Otherwise, Bordas and let us down.

It is worth listening to Again and Again!!

I really liked how smoothly Bordas blended the cultures throughout the book. I was intrigued at the many similarities as well as distinct differences in cultures. I would have no trouble recommending this book to others esp. of European mind set.