Why You Should Listen to Dreamers
The world is filled with dreamers and doers. Which one are you?
How do you think Joseph maintained his focus, perspective, and commitment to God after being sold as a slave (by his brothers), purchased as a servant ( in Egypt), thrown into prison (after being falsely accused), and forgotten (when he interpreted the cup bearer’s dream)?
Telling people about his dreams got Joseph into trouble. Interpreting other people’s dreams brought Joseph success, redemption, and favor.
A recent global poll revealed that only 15% of employees are engaged at work. It’s slightly higher in the US, at 30%.
That means two things:
Only 15% of one billion workers find meaning in their work.
An overwhelming 85% of people hate their job or their manager.
What can you do when you feel like your work doesn’t matter?
Your work has more meaning when you consider yourself part of the team and make meaningful contributions to the goals the company works to achieve.
What the whole world wants is a good job, and we are failing to deliver it — particularly to millennials. This means human development is failing, too. Most millennials are coming to work with great enthusiasm, but the old management practices — forms, gaps and annual reviews — grinds the life out of them.
Jacob’s (whom God renamed Israel) son Joseph was 30 years old when he was released from prison and interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. He never forgot his Hebrew identity, yet he spent many years as a servant and a prisoner in Egypt.
At the time he told Pharaoh the dream’s meaning, Joseph considered himself an Egyptian:
“This food will be a reserve supply for our country during the seven years of famine that will happen in Egypt. Then the land will not be ruined by the famine.” Genesis 41:36 (GW)
Joseph identified himself as an Egyptian — not a captive or a servant — when he said, “our country.”
Are you a Dreamer or a Doer?
Every company is filled with dreamers and doers. Dreamers cast a vision for the future, and imagine a different future.
Doers interpret dreams and help the dreamer’s vision become a reality.
When you’re an entrepreneur, you begin by being both the dreamer and the doer.
Whether you are in leadership, management, or operations, your role has three dimensions:
To dream,
To listen to dreamers, and
Interpret dreams.
When your approach to your work is to listen and respond with your insight, intellect, experience, and wisdom, you are providing the interpretation of how to solve a problem (a disturbing dream) or how to achieve a goal (a defining dream) by allowing God to speak and work through you.
You have talent, skills, experience, and insight that’s unique to you. Dream big dreams. Support other people’s dreams. Be an extraordinary strategist and see what is, dream about what could be, and design what should be.
Be a wonderful advisor who learns from hindsight, acts with foresight, and guides with insight to direct the company (and her people) along a clear path to its desired future.
That’s one way to find meaning in the work you do every day and become one of the 15% who changes the future.
Essential is a 30-day devotional that will help you gain a fresh perspective on how you are essential to the world around you and to the body of Christ.
Each day features:
A brief devotional on work, worship, and why you are essential in uncertain times.
A question to guide your reflection.
A prayer to open your conversation with God.
This men’s and women’s devotional will give you confidence as you glorify God in your work and relationships.