The Dream Manager Blog

Today I did an interview with The Marker, one of Israel's leading business magazines, and I thought I would share my answers with you.

1. What is the importance of dreams in one's personal life and how can it project onto a business?

We are driven by our dreams. Nothing animates the human person (or a country, business, team, family, or marriage) like the pursuit of a dream. Our work is not always going to be intrinsically meaningful, but in one way or another it should lead us a step closer to our dreams.

2. What is the role of a workplace (if there is role at all) in making worker's dreams come true?

If we want to really successfully manage people, we need to have a sense of who they are and what they value. Knowing what people's dreams are allows us to engage them on a whole different level. A Dream Manager, as you discover in the book, is like the ultimate life-coach, helping people identify, strategize, and fulfill their dreams. If you do this for your employees, they are going to work differently toward you, your business, each other, and the customer.

3. What is a dream journal, and what is its value for the dreamers?

Just a journal that I have to write all my dreams in. Things I want to do, be, and have. I also put my favorite quotes in it, or something like a picture of something I would like to buy someday. It's just a place to dream on paper, but it is so important that we get our dreams down on paper. Less than 1% of people have ever made a list of their dreams. But those that make the list are those that tend to achieve their dreams.

4. Could you please tell me a little bit about the role of a Dream Manger, and could every company afford such a position?

A Dream Manager meets with employees and helps them develop a personal strategic plan. A plan for their lives. We all need someone like this in our lives. Nobody goes to the Olympics without a coach. If we want to perform at a high level in life, we need a coach. And more than that, we need a Dream Manager.

5. A dream is a subjective idea with a broad interpretation. Should or could a company help its employees to pursue them?

Yes, everybody has different dreams. But the company's role is not to accomplish the dream for the employees, but primarily to encourage them, and to help out in other small ways.

6. What is your fantasy?

I have many dreams. I would love to walk the Great Wall of China, run a marathon, get married and have a family, spend more time at the beach, write a book that really affects the culture... But fantasies... I'm not sure I have a fantasy. Perhaps I am too practical.

7. Considering today's financial climate, aren't dreams just plain luxuries?

No. Today, in these circumstances, it is more important than ever to dream. Everything great in history has been built on the idea that the future can be bigger than the past. It is now during these times that we need to become a people of possibility again... and envision a bigger future. Then, go out and work to make that bigger, better future a reality.

Our dreams cause us to look to the future and push to bring into reality what we have envisioned, but from time to time it is important to take a break from dreaming and the pursuit of dreams. During these breaks we reflect on all the dreams we have already achieved and all the people who helped us achieve them. We also reflect on dreams that we failed to achieve and the lessons they taught us.

This Thanksgiving I am grateful for... the ability to dream, the courage to dream, the dreams I have accomplished all ready and the dreams I am chasing, the dreams that I have failed to achieved and the lessons they have taught me... but most of all I am grateful for all the people who have played the role of Dream Manager in my life, past and present.

This week, reach out to someone who has encouraged you to pursue a personal dream or a professional dream and say thank you.

I have known many champions in many different sports, but I have never met a champion who didn't have a coach. Self-directed excellence is not sustainable. We can achieve great things on our own for only a limited time. You need to be coached and your people need to be coached. Is a formal relationship with a business coach, a life coach, or a Dream Manager powerful? Yes, but this is not feasible for many. There are probably many qualified people in your life who would be willing to coach and mentor you. They may only be able to coach you around one area of your life, and you may only work with them for a few weeks or months on a particular skill. That's okay, other coaches will cross your path. Start looking around you for coaches in your life and start being a coach to those you manage.