So much emphasis is placed on dreaming big. Our “American Dream” culture has us looking to the next frontier, our first million, and the big purpose for our lives. This creates a ton of pressure and if you’re not dreaming big enough, you are told there is something wrong with you. Just this morning, a client, who is an emerging CEO, bemoaned that she doesn’t dream big enough.
Don’t get me wrong, dreaming big or having a vision can be a useful, if not an essential, part of leadership. However, I want to encourage all leaders not to forget to dream small, too. When we put all our energy and focus on the big vision or mission, we miss out on the small details — the person, thing or situation that is right in front of us.
It’s a team member who is singing the praises of another and you take notice, too.
It’s spending family time that everyone else said you can’t afford.
It’s acknowledging a tiny team that no one typically talks about.
It’s finding little ways where only you can help.
It’s sending a handwritten card to the employee who has been laid up after a surgery.
These simple moments can change the face of your team or organization.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming bigger dreams, but don’t forget to dream small on your way to those bigger dreams.
Remember, your leadership is not about you. It’s about them — those you’re leading.
Another small dream you might have is to invest in your people. If that is a dream of yours, but it feels too big for your budget and the amount of time it typically takes for training, check out The Intentional Leader. It is a leader development platform that delivers bite-sized training that has a massive impact, but that won’t disrupt your business and won’t break the bank.