Boldly Speaking: How Underestimated Professionals Can Rise and Thrive

Nika White • June 5, 2025

On the Intentional Conversation Vodcast, Dr. Nika White recently hosted Hady Mendez, a New York-based bestselling author, Latina speaker, and ERG coach, to discuss her inspiring journey and invaluable insights for underestimated professionals. Mendez, the founder and CEO of Boldly Speaking LLC, a company dedicated to transforming the professional experiences of underestimated professionals, shared her unique perspective shaped by over 25 years of diverse career experiences.


Mendez's career journey is nothing short of remarkable. She has served as head of equality for a major tech firm, held various customer-facing roles in high-tech and financial services, and advised across numerous Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Beyond the corporate world, Mendez dedicated two years to working internationally with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and served as community school director at an elementary school in the South Bronx. Her essays have been featured in Business Insider and Hashtag We All Grow Latina, and her thought leadership has been leveraged by organizations such as Lean in Latinas and Power to Fly.


The Human Element: Leading with Empathy and Empowerment

When asked how her diverse experiences shape her approach to leadership, particularly in guiding others through identity-driven challenges in corporate spaces, Mendez emphasized the importance of recognizing the "human beings" behind the professional roles. Her work in prisons and schools was a powerful reminder that individuals have unique needs and struggles. "I try to understand what they need and how I can show up for them, how I can support them, how I can provide value, how I can be a listener to them," Mendez explained.


She subscribes to a "Ministry of Presence," prioritizing active listening and understanding. Furthermore, Mendez is a firm believer in empowerment. Referencing the adage, "Give a person a fish, and they'll eat for a day; teach a person to fish, and they'll eat for a lifetime," she highlighted her philosophy of equipping individuals with the skills to advocate for themselves. "I'm not one of those people who just want to do the thing for you," she stated, recalling her work with school families where the temptation to fix problems simply was strong. Instead, she focused on teaching them how to solve problems and advocate for themselves, ensuring lasting impact.


Navigating Challenges: Confidence, Sponsorship, and Limiting Beliefs

Mendez shed light on common challenges faced by underestimated professionals striving for career advancement. She identified a lack of confidence, often stemming from societal narratives that tell individuals they are "too much or not enough." Examples include being told they are "too loud," their "lipstick's too bright," or lacking "executive presence." These false narratives, Mendez noted, can lead to internalized limiting beliefs.


Another significant challenge is the scarcity of mentors and sponsors who can champion and advocate for underestimated professionals, especially as they navigate more senior roles. While acknowledging that qualifications are rarely the issue – "There would be nothing about the color of my skin or where my parents were born that would make me more or less qualified to do a job" – Mendez pointed out that many lack exposure to the political nuances of rising in the corporate world. She shared her experience of not learning self-advocacy at home, a skill she had to develop later in life.


Finally, Mendez emphasized the impact of limiting beliefs, such as the idea that one shouldn't question a senior leader or push back on decisions for fear of being unlikable. She recounted instances where she was the "only one" to challenge an inequitable idea and found colleagues privately agreeing with her later. She added that the belief in a hierarchical "turn" for promotions can also hinder progress.


Allies in Action: Practical Ways to Support Underestimated Professionals

Mendez offered concrete ways for allies, managers, and senior leaders to support underestimated professionals:

  • Give credit where credit is due: "Take time to give us our flowers," Mendez urged, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging accomplishments and positive contributions. She highlighted the value of appreciating diverse perspectives and challenging the status quo.
  • Amplify ideas: When an underestimated professional's idea is overlooked or represented by someone else, allies should speak up. "Say like, 'I think that's what Hady said. I'm pretty sure that's what Hady said before,'" Mendez suggested. This simple act can ensure proper recognition and credit.
  • Demand inclusive decision-making: If you notice key voices are missing from a decision-making meeting, speak up. "You can be the one to say, 'I don't think everyone's here... We're missing voices here. We want all the voices,'" Mendez advised.


The Power of ERGs: Building Community and Psychological Safety

Despite external noise, Mendez affirmed that ERGs are "thriving right now." She receives numerous inquiries and invitations to speak at ERG events, and many companies are launching or re-launching these groups. She acknowledged the issue of psychological safety, especially when individuals from outside the community join ERGs, and offered a best practice. Regardless of their identity, every new member should inquire about what they hope to gain and what they intend to contribute. This intentional conversation helps foster a sense of community and ensures everyone's intentions are understood.


Mendez also suggested creating programming centered explicitly around the ERG's identity and offering additional learning and ally involvement programs. She noted the growing popularity of multi-generational ERGs, which provide a space for everyone and are often populated by assertive Gen Z and millennial professionals eager to learn and grow.


Unpacking Limiting Beliefs and Embracing Self-Advocacy

Identifying limiting beliefs often requires self-awareness and, at times, the support of a professional such as a career coach or therapist. Mendez described a process of "peeling back the onion," asking "why," and "say more" to uncover the root of these beliefs. She shared how her career coach challenged her self-perceptions, leading to the realization that many of her perceived barriers were not real.


By documenting one's strengths and qualifications, individuals can shift from beliefs of scarcity to beliefs of abundance. This newfound clarity empowers individuals to vocalize their aspirations. After overcoming her limiting beliefs, Mendez shared how she confidently told her manager, "This is what I want. I want to get promoted in a year."

For leaders, Mendez stressed the importance of specific and actionable feedback. Generic statements like "you're not ready" are unhelpful and reinforce self-doubt. Instead, leaders should clearly identify areas for improvement and provide concrete steps and resources to help individuals develop.


A Call to Action: Be Unapologetically You

Mendez's upcoming book, launching on September 15th, the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, is written for Latinas and other women of color. It's a guide to stepping into one's power, finding one's voice, and being a positive disruptor in the workplace. The book, filled with personal stories and lessons learned, aims to empower readers to advocate for themselves earlier in their careers and achieve their full potential.


Mendez's ultimate message for underestimated professionals is to be unapologetically who you are. "Show up fully and authentically. Trust yourself and your instincts. Lean into your superpowers," she urged. Our diverse lived experiences, she emphasized, are superpowers that allow us to see the world differently. She encouraged individuals to be brave, bold, and unafraid to shine their light and "play big."


Mendez acknowledged the courage required to be authentic, especially when challenging the status quo. Her journey, marked by a commitment to creating new paths for others, underscores her belief that "it's not me, it's us." By walking through doors and bringing others along, Mendez exemplifies the power of collective advancement for underestimated communities.


Intentional Conversations is a weekly podcast by Nika White Consulting that intersects diversity, equity, and inclusion dialogue with leadership and business. Click here to register to attend the live sessions each Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon EST. You may also search   archives to view replays   of past episodes, or you can listen to the Intentional Conversations Podcast on your favorite platform.

Read more from The Human Shift on Substack, where I share long-form essays on leadership, culture, and how we work and live.

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