From Tourism to Tech: Breaking Cultural Barriers with Mali Diaz

In this powerful episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya interviews Mali Diaz, a Senior Strategic Partner Account Manager at AirCall and former HubSpot Principal Latam's Customer Success Manager. Mali shares her remarkable journey from Paraguay to Boston and discusses the intersection of culture, language, and leadership in the global tech landscape. Key Highlights Mali's pivot from pursuing civil engineering to tourism and, eventually, technology The impact of speaking multiple languages on business relationships and cultural understanding Insights on impostor syndrome and its roots in colonial history How growing up in the Global South shapes leadership capabilities and resilience The role of technology in both connecting and disconnecting human relationships Leadership lessons from managing teams through periods of significant change Notable Quotes "If you don't work with people first, then business will never happen." - Mali Diaz. "Technology has allowed us to become more productive than we've ever been as humankind... Yet, we don't live better." - Mali Diaz. "Everything is transitional. Everything's just for now and in cycles." - Mali Diaz. Leadership Insights Human-Centric Leadership Focus on building genuine relationships before business Invest time in understanding people's motivations and goals Remember that position doesn't equal leadership. Managing Through Change Keep eyes on the horizon during turbulent times Maintain clear communication about changes and roles Understand that everything moves in cycles Cultural Intelligence Leverage language skills to understand cultural nuances Recognize how different cultures approach work and relationships diverse experiences as a strength in leadership Key Takeaways for Global Leaders Leadership isn't about position - you can lead from any role Invest in knowing your people beyond their professional roles Don't let productivity metrics overshadow human connections Understanding yourself is as essential as understanding others Embrace transitions and be ready to pivot when needed About Mali Diaz Originally from Paraguay, Mali Diaz has built an impressive career spanning tourism, technology, and leadership. Her journey includes roles at HubSpot and AirQol, where she's leveraged her multilingual abilities and cross-cultural experience to drive success in global markets. The Disruptive Leader podcast explores game-changing strategies, embraces innovation, and shares insights from leaders transforming their industries. Join us for more episodes that challenge traditional business thinking and inspire revolutionary leadership.