Finding Common Ground

I once interviewed a candidate who was clearly very nervous, struggling to answer the first few questions confidently. It was evident he was having a tough time getting comfortable in the conversation.

Then, I noticed something - a LeBron James phone case. I decided to ask him, "If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?"

The answer? "LeBron."

That leading question brought a noticeable shift. I then asked him, "Why LeBron?"

The change was immediate. The nerves disappeared, and he started talking passionately about basketball. As it turns out, both interviewers, including myself, were also big basketball fans.

This experience reminded me of the importance of finding common ground, especially as a leader. Leadership isn't just about asking the right questions - it's about creating an environment where others feel comfortable and can be themselves.

Sometimes, it’s the small connections that allow someone to relax, open up, and truly show who they are. As leaders, we have the power to unlock the potential in others by simply taking the time to connect on a human level.