Leadership for Dreamers
“All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.” — Jack Kerouac.
As humans, we were once defined by our capacity to dream, to imagine possibilities beyond the ordinary. Yet, somewhere along the way, we transitioned from human beings to human doings. We became caught up in endless tasks and to-do lists, trading our dreams for productivity, often at the cost of losing the essence of our humanity. The art of dreaming, of aspiring for something greater than ourselves, started to fade, replaced by the relentless grind of everyday life. In many cases, it’s as if we’ve stopped dreaming altogether.
Yet, the beauty of being human lies in the ability to dream big-not just daydreams or fleeting fantasies but dreams that inspire transformation and have the power to change the world. And that’s where leadership comes in. Leadership is not merely about steering others or managing systems; it is the art of daring to dream and inspiring others to dream with you. It’s about igniting the fire of possibility in people’s hearts and guiding them toward a vision that matters, one aligned with a greater purpose.
At the heart of leadership is choice. We can choose to settle for the ordinary, to move through life as human doings, checking boxes and accomplishing tasks without deeper meaning. Or we can choose to dream, to envision a future that doesn’t yet exist and then take deliberate steps to make it a reality.
But more than the choice to dream is needed. We also need to do the work to manifest those dreams. This balance between dreaming and doing is critical. Without action, dreams remain just that-ethereal, intangible. But without dreaming, the action becomes hollow, devoid of purpose and vision.
Dreaming and Executive Coaching
This is where executive coaching plays a transformative role. At its core, executive coaching is for the dreamers- the “dream beings” Kerouac speaks of. It is for those who recognize that leadership is more than just managing tasks; it is about dreaming for a larger cause. Coaching creates the space for leaders to reconnect with their dreams, align their work with their purpose, and manifest their visions into reality.
Executive coaching isn’t just about developing IQ or even EQ. It goes beyond these to touch on spiritual intelligence (SQ)-the part of us that dreams for something bigger than personal success. SQ is the compass that points us toward a higher calling, where our dreams become infused with meaning, and our leadership takes on a transformative quality. The most impactful leaders are those who develop their intellectual and emotional intelligence and nurture their ability to dream for a greater cause.
We become Divine Beings at that level .
Or we just re-connect with that consciousness?
Human Doing – -> Human Being – – > Divine Beings.
Leadership is for Dreamers
The truth is that leadership is a choice. And leadership is for dreamers. The greatest leaders in history who left lasting legacies were those who dared to dream big. They weren’t simply effective managers or brilliant strategists but visionaries who believed in something larger than themselves. They dreamt of a better future and inspired others to dream alongside them.
In executive coaching, this vision of leadership becomes a lived reality. Coaches help leaders not just manage their teams or hit targets but to dream again. To reconnect with the visionary within and bring that vision into the world. They remind us that we are not just doing -we are beings; at our core, we are dream beings.
The future of leadership lies in our capacity to dream and inspire others to do the same. As leaders and coaches, the invitation is clear: dream big, dream for a larger cause, and remember that our dreams make us human. Leadership, after all, is for those who dare to dream.
Executive Leadership Coaching is the bridge that helps turn those dreams into lasting, meaningful impact.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
