Dream Management

By Doug Franklin July 20, 2009

Your staff members have dreams; some want to take a trip of a lifetime to Italy and some want to build the ultimate bird house that will one day hang in the Smithsonian. All their dreams are different, but they spend every day chasing after your dream, what would it mean to them if you spent some time chasing their dreams?  If you were to discover their dreams and help make them come true how would they feel about you and working on your dream? So here’s how to start:

• Get to know their dreams
This is a great question to ask your staff, it’s fun listening to their answers. I have one staff member who loves hunting dogs, another who loves to make anything she finds at Pottery Barn, another one who wants to make the most view show on Utube.com.

• Think of ways to encourage them to make time for their dreams
This may require you to provide time or just remind them on Friday about the opportunity they have this weekend to spend time on the dream.

• Provide them with helpful resources
Give them a book or video on travel to Italy. Remind them that PBS is running a special on bird house making. By you remembering their dream and helping them prepare, you will be adding value to their lives.

• Financial incentive
Whenever possible tie a financial incentive to their dream; if you give a bonus each year give part of that bonus to helping them achieve their dreams. If you give a Christmas gift use that to let them know you remember their dreams.

By managing the dreams of your staff you will be developing a bond with them that will last a lifetime.