The Dream Manager (Hardcover)

by Matthew Kelly (Author), Patrick Lencioni (Foreword)
Key Phrases: dream session, dream list, hundred dreams, Dream Manager, Dream Book, Dream Survey (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
The business statistics are astounding: high percentages of detached, ready-to-exit employees; soon-to-occur vacancies among top executive and middle-manager ranks; and a growing chasm between employees and the organizations they work for. From Gallup to corporate human resources gurus, myriad solutions have been proposed. Yet Kelly, consultant and author (The Rhythm of Life, 1999; The Seven Levels of Intimacy, 2005, among others), proffers an idea that seems simple to implement. His philosophy is that organizations can only become best versions of themselves if their employees can realize that same opportunity. Center stage is the Dream Manager, an individual (or group) devoted to helping workers achieve personal life goals. His fictional parable plays out the story of Admiral Janitorial Services, a cleaning company plagued with extraordinarily high turnover. Presto digito! Within months of hiring a Dream Manager, employees stayed. Profits increased—and customers clamored for information. It is true that the pursuit of dreams "creates passion, energy, enthusiasm, and vitality." It is also true that, without solid proof, few businesses will explore this avenue. Jacobs, Barbara

Review
"The Dream Manager emphasizes that a key and critical role of leadership is the ability to recognize the dreams of those that we lead and inspire them to achieve those visions . . . I believe Matthew Kelly’s new book will be an important contribution to the literature of leadership." -- Robert A. McDonald, Chief Operating Officer, Procter & Gamble

"The Dream Manager will forever change how companies think about their employees, and how managers define what it means to do their job." -- Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (August 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401303706
• ISBN-13: 978-1401303709
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,258 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Is About Living Our Dreams, August 21, 2007

By	Thomas M. Loarie (Danville, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In "The Dream Manager," author Matthew Kelly departs from earlier best-selling books ("The Rhythm of Life, Perfectly Yourself, Call to Joy, Seven Levels of Intimacy") where he focused on improving "self" and provides, through a fable, an innovative way to improve the life of "the other." While the book is centered on the workplace and potential improvements in productivity and profitability, the concept Kelly outlines can reap great returns when applied to people outside of work as well.

Kelly builds on the concept of connection (See Michael Stallard's "Fired Up or Burned Out) to meet basic human psychological needs for respect, recognition, belonging, autonomy, personal growth, and meaning. The connector is the Dream Manager who connects the employees' now to their dreams and a better tomorrow.

The fable Kelly tells is based on a true story in which a janitorial services company had a chronic annual turnover rate of 400%. The fictional General Manager, Simon, is frustrated since he is operating more as a full-time "lead recruiter" rather than GM.

After numerous unsuccessful studies to define the problem, Simon's senior assistant suggests they learn what the employee's dreams are then find a way "to connect their job today with their dreams for tomorrow." Making money without a dream to fulfill is pointless and obscene. "Life is about living our dreams."

The company goes on to implement "The Dream Manager" program (the program's implementation and evolution is described in detail). The program results in improved morale and loyalty, and a drop in the annual turnover rate to 12% while gross revenue tripled. The number of employees grew only to 743 from 407 (less than 200%) during the same period.

The story of Rita serves as an example of a dream fulfilled. Rita, a 42 year old woman, had a dream to own a home. No one in her family ever owned a home. Within 132 days she owned her first home. This dream was not fulfilled with an increase in pay, company bonus or a gift but rather, with the involvement of a Dream Manager who worked with her to develop a program of saving and house/loan shopping. Once in her home, Rita commented that no one had ever asked her what HER dreams were.

Do you know the dreams of those around you? "You can ignore people's dreams, but it will be at your peril. You are free to ignore your children's dreams, your spouse's dreams, your employee's dreams, and your nation's dreams. But in each of these areas of life, you will pay an enormous price if you do." Dreams are invisible but powerful. With a "Dream Manager" you make them visible then harness their power.

Since his real life experience with implementing the Dream Manager program, Kelly has founded Floyd Consulting (Chicago, Illinois) to help companies in its implementation.

And since reading "The Dream Manager," I have begun to find out the dreams of my employees. I have also added the question, "What are your dreams?" to interviews of potential employees, suppliers, and consultants...and I have given copies of the book to: my wife, a real estate agent; two friends who are financial planners; another CEOl; and an inner-city high school teacher. All, like me, are in a position to be effective Dream Managers.

And in closing, it would be accurate to say Kelly's book really is about "self" not just "the other" as there is a lot of receiving when one gives.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give to friends and family this easy but profound read, August 29, 2007

By	Ralph D. Zerhusen "serious Catholic" (Covington, KY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have now purchased 28 copies of this excellent work, and have given most away already to people I care about. The message is simple but profound. Some amazing conversations with my wife and kids have already taken place because of this book. I highly recommend it. Dave Z.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, November 16, 2007

By	Mehmet Musa - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I loved this book. Very motivating and inspiring.
I'd love to work for a company like the one described!