In the novel, A Bell for Adano, Major Joppolo is sent to Adano to lead the town’s recovery. The town was previously occupied by Fascist dictators, who had zero respect for the citizens.
One of the first objectives he sets is to understand the people in the town. He makes it a rule to speak Italian to all Italians he works with. He asks the town what they want to have fixed. He also goes to meet with each person individually. He even talks with the lowly fishermen of the town.
He knows that he can’t lead the town unless they feel understood. And the simplest way to do that is to speak their language.
Now, how well do you speak your team’s language? Who, in your team, is a painter? Who loves to bake? Who is a coach of their children’s sports team?
As a leader, you must speak their language if you want to make change happen. The simplest way is to have a regular one on one conversation with each teammate. To learn about them. Their hopes. Their fears. Their hobbies.
It’s your chance to connect with them and make them feel understood. Only then you can lead them where they’ve always wanted to go.
A New Source Code 