What an amazing week! I experienced 1st hand a revolution in social leadership: Puerto Rico’s awakening. The island mobilized, successfully, to demand the Governor’s resignation amid a corruption scandal. This was not a left-wing or right-wing revolution. This was a peaceful revolution in social leadership.
This month, Puerto Ricans have embraced their inner social leader. They have each dedicated their heart and soul to making their island a better place for all. They have inspired and nurtured each other. What I find fascinating is that they have each done it in their own way.
Young People
Millenials and students have been at the forefront of the movement. They have organized protests and stood 24/7 in front of the barricades. Young people describe themselves as the “yo no me dejo” (I don’t allow) generation. Thus, they have inspired their parents and peers to believe a new future is possible.
The Journalists
Independent journalists have served as social leaders through their investigative reporting on corruption. They have unmasked uncomfortable truths to the public via non-traditional platforms, like social media.
The Artists
Puerto Rico is world known for its music. Famous musicians, such as Ricky Martin, Residente or Bad Bunny, displayed social leadership in joining the protests and asking their followers to do so too. Artists of all mediums protested in their own style: they wrote songs, danced in the streets, did performance art, etc.
The Small Business Owners
Many small business owners sacrificed their bottom line by closing their businesses to join the protests or allow their employees time to do so. Some used their business social media to make their views known. They encouraged the business community to see the movement as a non-partisan social issue.
The Diaspora
The millions of Puerto Ricans living off the island organized demonstrations in their communities, signed petitions and pressured their local leaders to take a public stand on the issue.
The Public, Especially Women
Finally, the common citizen became a social leader. The people protested, cleaned up the demonstration site, posted on social media and buoyed the local economy by purchasing goods at stores affected by the protests. Families, retired people, groups of friends…it seemed most everyone did something in support of this movement.
For months to come, I will still be unpacking the social leadership lessons I learned from the Puerto Rico awakening. What do you think are the most important lessons?
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