“What happens to a dream deferred…does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”
-Langston Hughes: A Dream Deferred
Nearly ten years ago author Matthew Kelly wrote the book, “The Dream Manager”. This short, 152-page book was based on a true story relating to a janitorial service company in Ohio. The situation was this: The company was struggling and the annual turnover was a costly 400%. As the book began, the company had lost 428 employees in 90 days. As the Admiral Corporation was grasping for salvation, one of the managers came up with the “Dream Manager” program. It was based on the belief that everyone has dreams. Top management at Admiral committed to talking to each employee to find out their dreams. Some had dreams of building their own business while others dreamed just to get through a day without a call from creditors.
They began a team program called the “Dream Manager”, and over 70% enrolled. They began working with people on their dreams. Soon, one by one, participants achieved their dreams, and went right on to the bigger dreams. As a result of the program, in three years Admiral’s turnover went from over 400% annually to just over 12%. Gross revenue tripled, and the number of employees rose from 407 to 793. What is your dream? What can you do to get started on it? It may mean making a phone call, writing a letter, or setting an appointment. We have all heard the old Chinese proverb, “Every 1000-mile journey begins with one step. Here is another one…Start by starting.
