Right-sizing Dreams

When I was 27, I packed up my car and moved to Seattle. I had 5 years of professional experience under my belt, all at the same large non-profit in DC. Soon after, I started applying for jobs, including the open role: Director of Leadership Development at Nordstrom. *chuckles* I had limited work experience in general, had only been coaching leaders for a few years at that point, and was just cutting my own management teeth. My lack of experience (in business and in life) didn’t even occur to me; I was ambitious and ready to take on the world (while getting that discount!) It’s officially a new year. People are setting goals for themselves and will soon be sharing them with you as part of their annual reviews or regular check-ins. Some folks may come to you with gigantic, immediate goals that seem unrealistic in the short-term, like my role at Nordy’s. Others may come to you with goals that are way too small for the greatness that lives inside them. Our responsibility as leaders and mentors is to meet both types of people with curiosity, empathy, and honesty. Not to dismiss their dreams, but help right-size them for the short-term, while collaborating on plans towards the exciting futures they envision. We are the executive sponsors of countless dreams. Let us never forget that.