Dr. Luz Longsworth examines women’s leadership challenges

Caribbean executive Dr. Luz Longsworth has released a new book examining the often overlooked workplace dynamics that shape women's professional experiences and leadership journeys.

In Through the Glass Bottom: Navigating Leadership's Hidden Currents, Longsworth draws on more than three decades of experience in higher education, business and hospitality to explore the organizational cultures, unspoken expectations and professional relationships that influence women's careers.

The 2026 book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

Born in Venezuela to a Jamaican mother and Venezuelan father, Longsworth moved to Jamaica at age 5. Her academic and professional career has taken her across several Caribbean territories, as well as Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

The idea for the book emerged during a drive along Jamaica's north coast. Reflecting on a difficult experience within an organization, Longsworth began to consider whether her focus on overcoming visible barriers had caused her to overlook other forces affecting her career.

“It struck me that while I was looking up and trying to break glass ceilings, I had neglected to understand the undercurrents that were also affecting me and other women in the organization,” she said.

The Caribbean glass-bottom boat became a metaphor for the book's central message. Just as passengers can observe the underwater world through a transparent floor, Longsworth encourages readers to look beneath the surface of professional environments and recognize the dynamics shaping their experiences.

“You do not have to participate in every undercurrent in your organization. But you do need to see them, because awareness gives you choice and agency,” she said.

Longsworth spent nearly three decades at The University of the West Indies, ultimately serving as principal and pro vice-chancellor of the UWI Open Campus. She is now senior corporate director of Sandals Corporate University, overseeing training and development across nine Caribbean countries.

Her leadership philosophy centers on service, mentorship and developing talent.

“As my career developed, I also began to understand that leadership was less about being the person in front and more about developing the people around you,” she said.

Longsworth credits her mother as her first mentor, saying she taught her that effective leadership requires fairness, responsibility and concern for the people being led. She also identifies Professor Gerald Lalor, former principal of the UWI Mona Campus, as an important influence who gave her opportunities to build confidence and competence.

The book examines challenges women continue to face as they advance professionally, including the pressure to repeatedly prove their abilities and the persistence of imposter syndrome, even among experienced leaders.

Longsworth highlights mentorship and solidarity among women as important resources for navigating these challenges. She also emphasizes the need for experienced women to support those entering leadership roles.

For Caribbean women in the diaspora, whose professional experiences may be shaped by multiple cultural contexts, the book offers a framework for examining workplace dynamics while remaining grounded in their values.

Longsworth also connects leadership development to the Caribbean's broader future. Having worked across the region, she argues that organizations must invest in education, training and mentorship to ensure talent is recognized and developed at every level.

“Leadership development is not a one-day workshop. It has to be a long-term investment,” she said.

Ultimately, Through the Glass Bottom: Navigating Leadership's Hidden Currents encourages readers to look beyond titles and promotions, examine the forces influencing their decisions and consider how they can help others realize their potential.

“Leadership is a lifelong journey of intentionally setting out to improve yourself and the people around you,” she said.