How I Lead a Spanish-Speaking Ward in an English-Speaking Stake | An Interview with Walter Franco

Walter Franco most recently served as a bishop and has previously served as an elders quorum president, Young Men president, Sunday School teacher, ward mission leader, and as a missionary in Jacksonville, Florida. He is a principal for a boutique sports business consulting firm based out of Park City, serves on a few University of Utah boards and the KSL Community Board, and is president of a non-profit that raises college scholarship funds for DACA students in Utah. Walter and his wife have been married for 14 years, have three daughters, and currently live in Herriman, Utah. Highlights 02:30 Getting called as a Bishop in a Spanish speaking ward and ward dynamics 10:00 There is actually a lot of diversity in a Spanish speaking ward. They are united by language but there are a lot of different cultures. It can cause drama and clics and Walter talks about how they created more unity. 12:40 Principle #1: See them as the Lord sees them. 16:00 Walter gives examples of how he goes about helping people in the Bishop’s office. He strives to give the individual ownership of their repentance rather than just giving them a prescription like a doctor. 19:30 Walter elaborates more on how he works with other leaders in the ward and the struggle in the Spanish ward to have strong leadership. He gives examples of how he gives feedback. It’s important to understand that it’s a process not an event. 24:45 Principle #2: Listen first and listen a lot before you speak This is the way to gain confidence and create great relationships Ask lots of questions and really understand where they are coming from and going through 30:00 Helping individuals with doctrinal questions. They might not get answers to certain questions in this lifetime but you can bring them back to core principles and doctrines. 31:15 Principle #3: My role is to lead by serving. Be the first one to extend your hand or respond 36:50 Leading a Spanish unit in an English Stake. Walter shares his view on how to address common misconceptions that English speakers have. Remember that we are united by faith and struggle with a lot of the same things. 49:00 Apps they use in the ward. Whatsapp has helped them create different groups and communicate easier. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soonGet 14-day access to the Core Leader Library