On a typical Sunday, the aroma of congrí (black beans and rice) and lechon (roasted pig) wafted through my home, with yuca boiling gently on the stove. It was time for our big family supper. Then came the decision that always stumped me: should I use the plátanos (plantains) to treat my family to maduros (sweet fried plantains) or tostones (fried green plantains)?

As I deliberated how to transform the plátanos, it dawned on me how this resonated with my own leadership journey. Choosing between maduros and tostones paralleled the decisions and pathways we often face in our roles as leaders. Both dishes, emerging from the same core ingredient, yet so distinct in taste and texture, reflected the diverse routes and outcomes in leadership.

That Sunday, the plátanos represented more than a delicious dish. They epitomized evolution, choices, and the multifaceted nature of leadership. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, here’s a look at how plátanos help illustrate the complexity of association leadership.

Patience and Nurturing

Starting life as a firm, green fruit, the plátano evokes an emerging leader—brimming with potential but still raw.

This initial phase is like a fledgling mentee in an organization, eager to grow but requiring guidance. However, with the right environment, patience, and nurturing (or in the case of the plátano, a good brown paper bag inside a cabinet), this leader, like the plantain, undergoes a transformation.

The ripening, turning from green to yellow, signifies the journey of growth, adaptation, and maturity—a pathway every leader navigates in their progression.

The Role of Resilience

Twice-fried, crispy, and delicious, tostones offer insights into the essence of resilience and repeated efforts.

To make tostones, green plantains are first introduced to hot oil, then removed to be reshaped, and finally returned to crisp up. This is the journey mentors oversee with mentees: an introduction to challenges, followed by guidance and reshaping, leading to eventual triumph.

Leaders, like tostones, emerge from trials golden and fortified. And once crisped to perfection, the beautiful dance of salt and adobo (garlic spices) come into play, which we see as the well-earned accolades of these emerging leaders.

Acknowledge Small Steps

But leadership isn’t always about weathering challenges. Tajadas—those sweet, long, thin slices of plantains fried to perfection that are perfectly paired with gallo pinto (rice and beans)—bring forth the softer side. They remind us that leadership is also about celebrating nuanced successes. The small steps and seemingly minor accomplishments are milestones that construct the greater journey.

Although tajadas are comparable to mariquitas (fried plantain chips, usually in smaller circles), their similarities demonstrate how two emerging leaders with comparable journeys can have very different outcomes in different environments. However, both are still valid and successful.

Adaptability of Leaders

The plátano’s ability to be both savory and sweet underscores the adaptability leaders must embody. Situations will dictate whether a leader needs to be assertive or yielding, vocal or contemplative. Just as the plantain can stand as the main dish or a side, leaders too must discern when to lead from the front and when to support from the sidelines.

A lesson in patience emerges from the seemingly overripe plátano maduro. To the untrained eye, it might appear past its prime, but those familiar with its journey know that sweetness lies beneath. Leadership often demands waiting for the opportune moment, allowing situations to mature to fruition, even if it seems counterintuitive.

Collaboration and Diversity

Mofongo (fried plantains and pork) and fufu (cassava and unripe plantains) are dishes emblematic of collaboration and the merging of strengths.

These dishes are more than their individual components; they become a unified, flavorful experience when combined. Leaders should recognize the power of collaboration, understanding that the outcome is often richer and more potent when different talents and perspectives are blended.

Emphasizing Latinx voices in leadership is more than a nod to inclusivity; it’s about harnessing the wealth of wisdom, perspective, and innovation that the community brings.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month reminds me of the beauty of our shared stories and experiences. Just as our family meals are elevated by the versatile plátano, our leadership narratives are infinitely richer with the celebration and embrace of Latinx voices.