Several years ago I answered a question about why someone should join the National Speakers Association. I answered briefly, then invited that person to call me if he had further questions. We spoke for over an hour and became fast friends. Since then, I've learned a lot about leadership, especially on leading myself, from Ricardo González, the founder of Bilingual America.
Ricardo Gonzalez is a leadership expert, and an all around great guy. Our conversation went through a lot about leadership, and it could have went on a lot longer. I'm always grateful to talk to him, as he is experienced and compassionate when leading - and when talking about leadership.
And if you're wondering, yes, he has been a member of the NSA since our conversation.
About Ricardo González
Ricardo González is the founder and CEO of Bilingual America. He developed Bilingual America’s courses, including Success with Hispanics, Líderes Exitosos (Successful Leaders), Spanish Power, Inglés Poderoso, among others.
Ricardo speaks internationally on organizational culture and Latino / non-Latino business relations. He is a founding member of The Speakers Guild of America, a professional member of the National Speakers Association and a speaker for LeadercastNow.
He is author of “The 12 Hidden Truths to Learning Spanish” and his newest book, scheduled for release in 2017 is titled, “The Six Stages of Cultural Mastery”.
Ricardo also serves on the board of the Home Industry Leadership Board sponsored by HomeAdvisor as well as the Advisory Board for the Hispanic Corporate Council of Atlanta. He is or has been a consultant to National Roofing Contractors Association, National Kitchen and Bath Association, The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Pacific, Hanes, Home Advisor, Cricket Wireless, Owens Corning, Certainteed, The Atlanta Braves, Gingrich Communications, Smithfield Foods, Kimberly-Clark, Brighthouse Networks, Alllied Building Products, SRS Distribution and many others.
Ricardo has undergraduate degrees in theology and communications. He also has Masters Level training in counseling.
He comes from a bilingual, bicultural family. His father was one of 27 children from Puerto Rico and his mother was an orphan from the hills of Kentucky. He jokingly calls himself a Puerto Rican Hillbilly. Out of his life story comes his desire to help individuals and organizations develop healthy cross-cultural relationships that maximize and leverage relationships for the common good.
Ricardo is married to Maribel and has three children: Gabriel, Andrea and Marí Andrea.
Connect with Ricardo
Bilingual America - whose mission is to help their clients create a culture where Latinos and non-Latinos together enjoy positive, productive and profitable work and life relationships together.
Ricardo González - Leadership and Bilingual America