Dusty Holcomb speaks with Claudia Caballero, CEO of Centro Hispano, about her powerful journey from Honduras to leading a thriving nonprofit in Knoxville. Claudia shares how she grew from second-guessing her instincts as a young Latina immigrant to confidently integrating intuition, data, and self-awareness in her leadership. Drawing from her upbringing, education, and entrepreneurial experiences, she emphasizes authenticity, resilience, and the importance of investing in people, even without guarantees. With candor, she reflects on personal challenges like ADHD and codependency, the transformative power of mentorship and community, and the leadership lessons shaped by therapy, books, and lived experience. Claudia’s story is one of trusting growth over perfection, leading with intention, and creating inclusive spaces where others can rise, thrive, and shine.
Key Takeaways:
• Even when doubted or dismissed, especially as a young Latina immigrant, inner wisdom is a powerful leadership tool. Claudia blends gut feeling with analytics to make informed, human-centered decisions.
• Personal and professional growth is rooted in strong relationships and mutual support. From receiving support to offering it, Claudia demonstrates the ripple effect of mentorship.
• Late-in-life ADHD diagnosis brought self-awareness and tools that strengthened Claudia’s leadership.
Key Timestamps:
(
00:00) – Meet Claudia Caballero: A Powerhouse of Inclusive Leadership
(
01:18) – The Journey of Self-Trust and Intuition
(
04:53) – Authentic Leadership: Embracing Your Unique Path
(
06:37) – Claudia's Background: From Honduras to Leadership
(
22:00) – Centro Hispano: From Humble Beginnings to Impactful Growth
(
30:43) – Commitment to Team Growth
(
31:57) – Internal Pride and Challenges
(
36:39) – Personal Reflections and Mentorship
(
41:21) – Leadership Lessons and Insights
(
55:44) – Building Authentic Relationships
Key Topics Discussed:
Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership
Mentions:
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What is Leadership Unlocked: The Operating System Every Executive Leader Needs to Delegate Effectively & Foster Accountability So You Can Stop Managing Alone and Start Leading a Team Again?
Leadership Unlocked is a leadership podcast about the moments that shape how real leaders grow. Hosted by executive coach & strategist Dusty Holcomb, it features real stories and honest conversations with CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating real-world challenges and growth.
Each episode delivers real-world leadership insights, stories from leaders in the field, and practical tools for high-performing teams—making it a must-listen for anyone serious about leadership development.
Whether you're leading a company, a team, or yourself, you'll walk away with something you can use right now.
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