Comments

TOM.... I try to do all of that everyday with my two boys and I imagine most mums and dads do too - both my boys are very different and so they have very different dreams so it is a challenge to know what to do that is best for each of them... One thing I know is they are both going to be their own dream manager.. They will do what they will do - they will not do it because I lead them but because they are independent thinkers with their own agendas... Your guy - HANGER 1 - he sure as hell did not need Tom Peters to tell him to live his dream or to put that sign on his truck... Most people who are living their dreams do not need a dream manager - they have mentors who they choose to listen to but they essentially do their own thing... It is the people who are not living their dreams or have given up on their dreams that are looking for meaning in their life... When they find people with whom they share a purpose - with whom they share a goal - with whom they share a set of values - etc... Then their individual and their collective dreams are realised remarkably quickly... If you want to learn more about purpose-driven groups look at the simply break-through work of Pastor Rick Warren (he is the guru of organisational theory put into practice).. Rick built his Saddleback Church Community (20,000 active participants) from just two (him and his wife)... Rick is not a dream manager he is a dream builder - he has made his dreams come true through faith, hard work, and perseverance... Richard...

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at May 14, 2008 5:35 PM

Tom - Whatever you say is infectious. This video is a terrific example of passion, enthusiasm and you being yourself – it comes across. You describe yourself as an ‘old guy’ - I say to you an English expression ‘I’ll have a pint of what you are on’

Dreams are wonderful – I have a dream of being the player-coach of a 5-a-side soccer team of people 100 years old plus in 2052 when I qualify. You are in the team – after all you will only be 110 :- )

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 14, 2008 6:46 PM

The piece that absolutely captured the essence of this message to me was the changing the thought from leaders "managing" the collective mid-sentence to "ENABLING" the collective dreams.

To enable is defined as "to provide with the means or opportunity",,,leader's providing the training , tools, time, that increases your team's capacity to excel...which can translate to opportunity and progression. I work in a Call Center environment. Many are single parents, working multiple jobs to make ends meet. The fact that they are working usually means they make to much to qualify for many of the housing, insurance, health care programs available for no to low income groups. Couple this with many company policies and processes that have not kept pace with societal and socio-economic changes of the past decades, the challenges are many and subsequently, the turnover high. They see the job as an opportunity to make a better life for their families and are willing to work hard and sacrifice to make it happen. If there was ever a win-win-win-win situation for the front line folks, the front line leadership, the external consumer customer and the company, enabling and engaging those we lead...better yet...serve, this is it. Take care of the folks who take care of the customer is my personal Job 1.

I have a personal mission statement, partially because it's a teaching tool, but mostly because it keeps me focused on what's important and what I need to do each day. My role as I see it is to prepare my company's "future leaders with the tools to maximize their personal performance and the skills to achieve their professional potential...every person...every contact...every day." The first part is basic job skills that enables them to meet our performance goals and objectives. The second part are skills like communication skills be they verbal or written, analytical skills by getting them involved in problem solving and planning and decision making, team building, and leadership, These are skills that critical to develop to advance. Skills that they learn and perfect many years before they might actually get the title but ones that distinguish them from their peers.

I'm definitely on the older side myself. It just means however that I have had many years of seeing "up close and personal" how absolutely correct and on point that you are!

Posted by Dave Wheeler at May 14, 2008 11:59 PM

Tom, it's my first time to watch your videos and WOW they really hit me like sharp arrows. Thanks for the thoughts and the inspiration.

In some respects, the videos are more effective in putting across the emotions, feelings and PASSION that you have. I salute you for the wisdom. You inspire us greatly. Carry on!

Posted by Dennis D. Balajadia at May 17, 2008 3:40 AM

What beautiful encouraging words. Thank you, TP. They put me in the mind of some other beautiful inspiring words spoken by Christ:

"Whosoever desires to become great among you let him be your servant...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." Matt 20:26-7.

We often have the concept of greatness backwards. We often think that in order to be great others must serve us. The beauty of Christ and TP's words is that they are reversed.

In order to be great we must serve, whether personally or professionally; this is "enabling the collective dreams of others."

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 20, 2008 1:24 PM