How to Host a Dream Session

After reading The Dream Manager or learning about the concept from a friend or colleague, you may be interested in leading a dream session with your team, organization, or group.  The process develops teamwork while stimulating people’s natural tendency to dream and help others live their dreams.  You may be asking how to begin the process.  There is no “right” or “wrong” way to conduct a dream session.  However, based on the dream sessions that the Floyd Consulting team has led with managers, departments, and small companies, a few best practices emerge.  Here are a few steps to help you make the most of your Dream Session. 

1. Introduce the concept to your group – Because we all stop dreaming from time to time, some members of your group may not have the same background on the dreaming process as you do.  Therefore, invite each person to take some time to write down as many dreams as he or she can think of.  You may want to provide the list of 12 categories that are included in The Dream Manager as a catalyst to start the process.  Encourage your team to consider their dreams during their weekly routine when they listen to music, read the newspaper, visit with colleagues, spend time with friends and family, and go about their normal routine.  The goal is to write as many as possible.  Remember that there aren’t any dreams that are too big or too small.  If you to want provide a journal for your team, great.  Or, suggest that they write their dreams in a journal or book that works best for them.      

2. Set a date and schedule time – Confirm with your team that you plan to set time aside for the group and that you would like them to feel comfortable to share some of the dreams on their list.  Recognize that the process may seem uncomfortable for some members of your team.  Remind them that they don’t have to share all of their dreams and that they don’t need to share dreams that they don’t want to.  The process should be fun…but it does take people actually sharing their dreams to work!

3. Keep your dream session distraction-free – How can you eliminate distractions and keep your dream session focused on each other’s dreams?  Likewise, how can you make the process enjoyable?  Turn cell phones and BlackBerries off.  Leave e-mail and work projects at your desks.  Do you want to consider scheduling your session out of the office?  Would bringing lunch in make people feel more comfortable?  However, scheduling the session at a set time in your normal meeting space works just fine, too.    

4. Invite people to share their dreams – A good way to start your dream session is to invite your team to share one dream in a particular category.  A category such as “Adventure” or “Creative” may allow everyone to begin the process and feel comfortable sharing.  Then move to another category.   If your team members have not developed dreams in each one of the twelve categories, invite them to share a dream in another category.   

5. Allow the process to unfold naturally – As people begin sharing their dreams, other people will likely offer a comment, share encouragement, or add dreams to their dream list.  All of these actions are part of the process and make the experience engaging for everyone.  How might you make everyone on your team feel supported and encouraged?  Remember that there aren’t any rules other than to support and encourage each other.      

6. Plan for follow-up – How can you keep the process alive after your dream session concludes?  Do you want to send an inspirational quote to your team every other week?  Reconnect with members of your team and ask how their pursuit of a particular dream is progressing.  Ask if you can help or just offer your encouragement.  How might your team help each other live their dreams?  Can you select a dream from each of your team members’ dream list and help them achieve it?  Sometimes the best thing that you can do is occasionally check-in and ask how their progress is going on a particular dream.  Perhaps it makes sense to have a quick, 5-minute check-in at the end of a regular meeting once a month to let your team members share one step they’ve taken, one achievement made, or one dream that they’ve accomplished.  Or, maybe you can invite your team to bring their dream list to their annual review or performance review.   

7. Schedule your next dream session – After six months or one year, reconvene your group for your next dream session.  This time, begin with inviting people to share their reflections on how the process is different the second time.  Ask them how many new dreams they have added to their dream list since your first dream session.  Identify and celebrate dreams that your team members have accomplished.  Invite members of your team to share where they struggled or where they fell short in achieving their dreams.  Then, continue the process of sharing dreams in particular categories and reigniting the passion for each other’s dreams.        

 What’s your experience?  If you’ve conducted a dream session with your team and have successes to share or helpful practices that worked for your team, feel welcome to let us know.  We’d be pleased to hear how you are applying the concepts with your team and what works best with your group.  Send comments to the Floyd Consulting team at information@floydconsulting.com.