What Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bunny
- Cynthia Alfaro
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
I know — you probably didn’t expect Bad Bunny and leadership in the same sentence.
But hear me out.
After studying leadership for over 20 years, I can’t help but find lessons everywhere — at work, in parenting, in traffic, even in pop culture. My brain just connects the dots between everyday life and the way we lead people.
And as someone who proudly grew up in a Puerto Rican neighborhood of Chicago — though I’m not from the island, my people are 🇵🇷 — I pay close attention when someone like Bad Bunny changes the game.
Because what he’s doing goes beyond music. It’s a master class in modern leadership.
Authenticity on Your Own Terms
Bad Bunny never asks for permission to be himself. Language, culture, painted nails, fashion — he leads with it all. He doesn’t perform authenticity; he lives it.
👉 According to Gallup, teams led by authentic leaders see 40% higher engagement.
He’s proof that when you stop trying to fit in, you give others permission to do the same.
Leadership move: Let people experience the real you. Values and vulnerability travel farther than polish.
Bravery with Humor
Performing live on SNL in a second language? That’s courage.
If you’ve ever tried ordering coffee abroad and froze mid-sentence, you know that kind of bravery. Yet he does it with humor and humility — showing us that courage isn’t perfection; it’s presence.
Leadership move: Step into uncomfortable rooms. Laugh when it’s messy. Courage is contagious.
Inclusivity as a Superpower
He doesn’t water down his culture to reach the masses — he invites the masses in. Singing in Spanish isn’t a barrier; it’s a bridge.
He’s teaching us that real influence doesn’t come from assimilation, but amplification.
Leadership move: Build cultures where people can bring their full selves — accents, stories, and all.
Connection Over Control
During his Puerto Rico residency, he didn’t perform from a high stage — he sang from a casita, surrounded by a crowd. No velvet rope, just rhythm and people. That’s leadership: proximity, joy, and shared experience.
Leadership move: Get off the metaphorical stage. Listen, celebrate, and build with your team, not above them.
Consistency and Boundaries
He shows up — for fans, for Puerto Rico, for his art — yet protects his private world. He’s proof you can be transparent without being on display.
Leadership move: Show up reliably, but protect the spaces that keep you grounded enough to lead well.
These aren’t entertainment moves — they’re leadership moves.
Bad Bunny reminds us that the best leaders today are authentic, courageous, and culturally curious — unafraid to lead in their own language and rhythm. 🎶
💡 Reflection for the week: Where can you lead more boldly — in your own language, on your own terms, and for your people?
And if your organization is navigating growth, change, or culture shifts — that’s where my work comes in. Through Cynthia Alfaro Inc, I help leaders operationalize authenticity, build trust-based systems, and align people, purpose, and performance.
Because leadership doesn’t have to sound corporate — it just has to be real.
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