4 Ways to Throw Gas – not water – On Dreams
People are excited to do what they want to do, not what you want them to do. The sooner you embrace this idea, the more successful you’ll become.
Control resources. Release people.
Frustration:
Leaders think:
- You could do ….
- You could become …
- You should …
I’ve always seen the great things others could do. It’s frustrating when your aspirations for others exceed the aspirations they have for themselves. It’s also futile, unnecessary and self-defeating.
Successful leaders don’t dream for others. They help others dream for themselves.
4 ways to throw gas – not water – on dreams:
#1. Know their strengths. Fixing weaknesses doesn’t ignite dreams.
Don’t pressure people to be like you. Encourage them to be like themselves.
#2. Know their story.
We’re answering our own struggles, disappointments, and pain. How many social workers grew up in an abusive home, for example?
When someone wants to lead, ask:
- What’s important to you about this?
- Where does this desire come from?
- How does this passion express what you’re all about?
#3. Connect story with action.
I recently asked a leader what was behind their desire to lead an initiative. Imagine my surprise when she said, “When I was eight, my parents got a divorce.”
Give purpose by connecting story with aspiration.
Everyone has passion within. Your job is to create an environment where they find and express it.
#4. Give practical expression to aspiration.
Energy erupts when people find something specific to do that makes the world better today. It’s never enough to say, “I want to make the world better.” Who doesn’t?
People are excited about their own dreams, not the dreams you have for them.
How might leaders ignite and fuel aspiration in others?
You just hit on the key reason why a lot of “wellness” programs don’t work. There is no consideration about what a person or team values or, to your point, dreams about doing. If you can meet them where they are, you can help them turn their dreams into reality. That’s true servant leadership.
There is a concept in Judaism called “Tikun Olam.” The idea that everyone has something to contribute to making the world a better place. You don’t have to fix everything. Your job is to figure out the piece that yours… and then get to work. 🙂
Thanks Mim. You pit it so well. Meet them where they are…help them turn their dreams into reality. From a leadership point of view, achieving organizational goals at the same time is success. Cheers
“Control resources. Release people”. 4 words. The value contained in those four words and the approach they describe is huge for leaders who embrace it. So good, thanks Dan
Dan, the problem I have always encountered with this is that peoples’ dreams simply don’t align with organisational purpose. For 95%+ of the people I’ve worked with, their dream has nothing whatsoever to do with the organisation – they are there to earn the money to fund their dream. They want to turn up, do a fair job, take the money and go fishing.
Mitchk999 – I don’t see anything wrong with this. If you have someone who believes in their dream and is dedicated to it, they are going to work hard for YOU and your organization in order to get to that dream. It’s getting them to channel the energy into their “8-5 job” that is the challenge, but a good leader can and will do that – and still encourage that person to reach for the stars!