The Dream Manager is a remarkable book. It is simple and powerful. The book presents one idea: if you are looking for engaged relationships with people, find out what people are dreaming about and assist in making these dreams possible. This applies to yourself as well, to become more engaged yourself, state your own dreams and work to make them possible.

The first part of book is written as a story about a company that develops a program for making the dreams of their employees come true. It shows the steps taken, the obstacles, real and mental, and how to overcome them and the benefits of the program. The format of a story makes for an easy, short and interesting read. The second provides resources to start working on realizing your own dreams and those of others.

This book is a quick read that motivates anyone to manage, lead, and live at a greater dimension. Engaging the workplace and those around you is a wonderful gift and sharing true compassion & good will to see others dream come to pass it what AMAZING leadership is all about. Thank you for challenging us to think better so that we can lead better. Awesome book!!!

Being in a management position, I thought the book was supposed to teach me how to be the dream manager. I soon found out that it is much better than I expected. It teaches you to start dreaming again. The reason why people are so miserable at work is because they do not feel that they make a difference. I live and breathe this philosophy now at work and in my personal life. The 12 areas that we can dream guide you toward your personal achievements. I am forever changed in the best way possible. A must read for all.

The Dream Manager offers some keen insights into how we may take control our own dreams & aspirations while assisting employees, family & friends realize & accomplish theirs as well. Our dreams can & should be our motivating force. Its critical that we have dreams & persue them.
Matthew Kelly is a gifted, understandable author & speaker.

This is one of the best business concepts that I have ever heard. This book is a must own for everyone, but especially for business owners. The wealthy already understand this simple (yet profound) premise. What are you waiting on?

-ski

Matthew Kelly's little book, on the importance of employees' dreams, is well worth reading. For any manager who is wrestling with issues of engagement and retention, check this one out.

When I was younger I used to pick up business books off my dad's shelf and read them after devouring my own books. Now that I am in college, every so often my dad sends me books that he believes that I should read. At first I was skeptical about The Dream Manager, but when I finally found time to pick it up - I was blown away. I have never been moved by a business book, but this one conjured tears in my eyes. I think that this is not just a book that applies to HR departments or CEOs. In fact, I think that it is the perfect book for a college student becuase it is a time in life when they are meant to dream and dream big. This reminds them that this is something that should continue throughout their lives.

This 'short-read' is chuck full of reasons people will come to work for, and stay at work for their employers. Every HR Team should read this and take note. I require all of the CEOs that I Coach to read this book. This is inspiring and gives results that must be included in the vision of every company in the 21st Century. We can no longer exist without engaged and contributing employees, from management, through mailroom, through janitorial staff. This is a magnificent example of how we can hire and retain the most productive and contributing employee stream today. With the realization that shortages of talent and disengaged employees cost companies and corporations millions every year, this quick read provides some valuable answers. The cost of NOT providing what is in this book is too great for us as a society, as well as international corporate focus.

Matthew Kelly provides a revolutionary view of what makes a business succeed. Although the business story is fictional, the Dream Manager is a completely realistic idea. Many companies have started or are in the process of staring the Dream Manager program with great success. But besides the business aspect, the second half of the book leads individuals through a practical process of discovering dreams and helping ourselves and others live dynamic lives fueled by our dreams. "The Dream Manager" can inspire us to live passionately, and help us inspire our families, friends, church, and community to discover and live the dreams hiding in our hearts.

Today, too few skilled workers are available to fill the most demanding jobs. What can companies do? Matthew Kelly believes that employers must get into the "dream business." To become more attractive to workers, companies should, on a formal basis, begin to help their workers achieve their dreams by offering coaching that helps them achieve their goals, step by step. These dreams could range from purchasing a house or digging out of debt to traveling to Paris or putting their children through college. Whatever an individual's dream might be, companies can earn undying gratitude - never-ending loyalty - by focusing on what employees hope to achieve in their lives. getAbstract recommends this book to managers who like the sound of "easier recruitment, better retention, less retraining" and would love to have loyal, engaged, enthusiastic employees. Though it may sound far-fetched, a little inner-office altruism and coaching certainly would be a salutary way to develop a workforce of optimists who believe their dreams are achievable. Read this original solution to a well-known problem and learn how to create a "dream program" for your employees.

I am a small business owner of 2 independent pharmacies in WV and have looked far and wide for a simple approach to change the way we operate and pay attention to our most important customer, our employees. My friend Dan recommended this book to me and my search was over. This book is an easy read and packs a very powerful message.

This book is an awesome blueprint for all business owners, large or small, and will give you simple steps to change your current business model and how we can listen to those we employ. My businesses are currently implementing the Dream Manager concept and cannot wait to see how it impacts our bottom line, employee morale, and customer experience.

Thank you Mr Kelly for writing a marvelous book and sharing your vision.

Jonathan

"What's your dream?" That's the fundamental question I got from reading Matthew Kelly's newest book, The Dream Manager. As an executive coach, I look for powerful questions to ask my clients, and I find this question transformational. When you ask people what their dreams are, you reach into their very core--their purpose and drive for living. Unfortunately, dreams get buried in the business of doing life...commuting, working, taking care of the children, the house, and all the many things we do every day. But when you ask people "What's your dream?" you give permission to clear the cobwebs, and allow adults to become kids again to re-discover their dreams, their passions. And when a leader asks team members what their dreams are and helps them accomplish those dreams, there is nothing they won't do for that leader. The Dream Manager is well worth the read and sharing it with others, especially anyone with a dream--who may have forgotten it.

Based upon the basic tenet that people must be able to find purpose in their work; refreshing in its simplicity of presentation; and using the business novel format, Matthew Kelly introduces his dream manager program as the way to give meaning to seemingly meaningless jobs. Asking not what it will cost to engage employees, but recognizing the obvious value of connecting with employees, a janitorial services company helps people find meaning in their work as the route to realization of their dreams.

Putting a relational twist on the management process, the story not only explores a new way for employees to find meaning (realization of their dreams) in their work, it shows how recognition and accountability are also critical. The psychological underpinning of this concept make it applicable to work at all stages of the value chain, not just front-line employees. This is a book that should find its way onto every managers' must read list.

Dennis DeWilde, author of,
"The Performance Connection"

"Dream Manager" was an easy read that opened my eyes, as well as my husband's, to areas in our lives that we would like to improve, things we would like to accomplish, that we had just put aside or forgotten about.

Simple but powerful concept for indiviudal living, families, couples, business. Read it, embrace it, practice the simplicity of dreaming again and helping others dream again and make a difference. Good stuff!

This is the second Matthew Kelly book i've read and while I loved the message, I did not enjoy the way it was presented (the fictional company seemed ridiculous). I think the author is much more talented than this and I wish he had written it differently. I found myself skimming the final 25% of the book.

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

I learned about this book at http://www.ExecMagazine.com and thought it was a great concept which really has gone along with a saying that I've used most of my career. "All anyone really wants is to know that you care about them. Thanks Matthew.

The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly is a short business novel about a company which reduces its absenteeism hugely and increases its staff's satisfaction by helping its staff discover then achieve their dreams. Despite my "business speak" synopsis this is a moving and powerful book. I read it in just a few hours, I buy into the ideas (in fact, I think I live the ideas to a certain extent), and I love how Kelly managed to make his case both emotionally and in business terms. Very nice book. Worth every penny.

This fictional story centers on how a company created a position called "Dream Manager" in hopes of addressing its high turnover rates and employment woes. The focus of this position was to work with employees to help identify and realize their dreams. This position worked its magic at the company, empowering the janitorial employees and increasing morale. As gratitude, loyalty and enthusiasm increased and spread through the ranks, the company's turnover rate declined and bottom line improved.

In much of my work, from mediating conflicts to proactively coaching elite performers, I talk about giving the other party as much as possible while getting your own needs met. This theme played out in the story, going so far as to say that the PRIMARY responsibility of any relationship is to help EACH OTHER fulfill one's dreams. A simple yet profound concept, especially for business owners and managers. What employee would not gladly give more than they currently give to their work once the employer makes the work more meaningful by helping the employee connect it to their values and dreams? This process is fueled by a genuine respect for others, validation of their uniqueness and dreams, recognition and appreciation for their efforts and support for their continued growth as an individual.

This book was a quick read (and re-read!) and a wonderful story. Pieces of it continue to resonate in my mind during certain moments as an employer, coach, mediator, community leader, spouse and parent. When you consciously become aware of the power of recognizing others' dreams and help them make a connection between these dreams and their daily choices, you will truly become a leader who inspires others to give their best every day. World class leaders don't ask or advise their people to compartmentalize their lives and leave their personal lives and dreams on hold until they are on their "own time". When you empower your team to channel all of the passion and energy they naturally have for their dreams into their work, you will see both tangible and intangible results.

I hope this book inspires you to become a dream manager in all facets of your life. How much do you really know about the dreams of those around you? Ask! Then harness the power of helping others reach their dreams. Buy a copy of this book. Actually, buy several and give them to other leaders who are in a position to become dream managers!

Mollie Marti, Ph.D.
Author, Selling: Powerful New Strategies for Sales Success

. A business fable along the lines of Lencioni's. Continuing along my present theme of suggestions for our present and looming huge HR problem in tech, this book is refreshing and insightful while being "short" and easy to read. Taken as part of a pair with the recent book I reviewed by Cam Marston this gives you further tools and insights into your company and workforce. Without giving away the store, the narrator is COO of a boring services company that is having very (400%) turnover rates. The employees , managers, owner and clients arr all unhappy. Costs are rising and profits are down. These are ordinary people with tough problems. The solution and turnaround are an inspirational read. The author has been practicing this method for many years and has the proof to show that it works. I like the fable genre, it teaches while it entertains, ths lowering our learned barriers to knowledge. Great quote from Mark Twain," Those who do not read great books are under no disadvantage over those who can not read."Another from Kelly, " There are no quick fixes to situations that involve real, living, breathing people."

Matthew Kelly writes like he speaks - with power, clarity, and focus. I should know because I've shared the platform with him, and I've read every one of his books. In this latest book he tells the story of Simon Roberts, general manager of Admiralty Janitorial Services. Recruited to run the company by Greg, the entrepreneurial founder, Simon finds he spends more time recruiting than anything else. With 400% annual turnover, a little over average for the industry, the company is a revolving door. And turnover costs-big time. Simon convinces Greg to go back to the basics and ask employees what they want and need, even though the executive team believes they have answer: more money. And it turns out they are wrong.

By really listening to employees and finding innovative solutions that appear to cost, but really pay back-and pay back big time, Simon finds the real key to employee satisfaction, full engagement, and reduced turnover, as well as profitability. For example, running employee shuttles to help people get to their jobs because many don't have cars, and the buses don't operate on the schedules when they clean buildings.

Ultimately, this is where the Dream Manager comes in-someone who asks people what their dreams are and then helps them to create plans to reach them. Simon and Greg, together with the executive team and the Dream Manager, show the employees that the company is committed to helping them achieve their dreams-and the employees respond with increased performance, lower turnover, fewer sick days, and greater productivity.

Kelly helps the reader realize the importance of motive in making the concept of a Dream Manager work. Though the story is fiction, the facts quoted are alive and well in every industry. Hearing of the employees' dreams that come true because of the company's commitment, will bring tears to your eyes. Executives and managers reading this book will long to make the same things happen for their own employees-and they can. The final section of the book lays out a step-by-step plan for individuals, managers, or organizations to implement their own Dream Manager process.

Armchair Interviews says: Everyone will want to work for a company with a Dream Manager program.

This is a wonderful book that can easily be finished in one day, and it's ideas can be used to improve relationships of all kinds in all settings. Definitely worth buying.

Written in a different style than Matthew's other books which are inspirational but very practical.The Dream Manager is well worth reading.

Matthew Kelly is utterly amazing and so very gifted. I have read two of his previous books and have several tapes of his workshops. It amazes me how he builds on everything he has previously taught about it in The Rythm of Life and Perfectly Yourself.

This is a self-help book for the workplace. As a Catholic professional, this is the BEST book I have ever read to apply for work. Matthew is amazing. Its a quick and wonderful read. I highly recommend it!!

I have read a great many works of inspirational fiction (and published a few myself), so I'm obviously a fan of the genre. Probably as a result, I'm pretty easy to please but pretty tough to impress. I read "The Dream Manager" at one sitting, then read it again taking notes. I'm impressed! Any leader (including family leaders) who takes Kelly's extraordinary concept to heart and acts upon it cannot help but to achieve extraordinary results. If you are a business leader, you really must read this book - before your competition does! Never Fear, Never Quit

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.

The Dream Manager is a fable of a janitorial company that is experiencing an incredibly high turnover rate (over 400%). As the executives ponder the reasons for the turnover and the possible solutions, Simon, the General Manager and main character of the book, suggested doing a survey to get to the bottom of this problem. The survey turned out a couple of issues and they were addressed immediately. It turned out that a lot of the employees were complaining about the transportation issues. Greg, the Owner, had the initial impulse to through money at the problem in the form of pay raises, but it was obvious that this was not the solution. After implementing a transportation program and noticing a decline in turnover, Greg insisted that another survey needed to be done to further reduce the turn-over.

After much discussion they concluded that what they needed to do for the employees was eliminate the "dead-end" job mentality from the employees' mind. Of course, being janitors, many in the management team concluded that it was by consensus a dead-end job. Simon, however, thought differently and with the blessing of the owner implemented a position called "Dream Manager". This position sole responsibility was to find out what the employees' dreams were and then help them realize them. The results were outstanding. First the morale and attitude began to change to one of gratitude and excitement, then their work begin to improve and the bottom line of the company got better and better as the time progressed.

The story, of course, is fictional. However, it would be easy to see how a program like this could be beneficial for any company. Human capital is the most important capital of any company and the feeling of not being appreciated and meaningless work permeates corporate America like a cancer. Simon declares in the story: "The primary responsibility of all relationships is to help each other fulfill our dreams." With this in mind how can an organization loose when they help fulfill the dreams of their employees.

John C. Maxwell has said that "leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand". I have not heard of a better way to touch the employee's heart than by sincere concern for their dreams. The book is short and very powerful. The idea is simple and business transforming. Enjoy!

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 future.

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.

Whether your leadership is carried out as an Executive, Manager, Coach, or Parent, this book will transform the way you think about your critical role in the lives of others. It teaches you how to recognize the dreams of those you lead and make a connection between their daily work and and their dreams, so that they are inspired to give their best every day in pursuit of their vision. Matthew Kelly reminds us that, "People will bring the passion and energy they have for their dreams to their work."

As a member of Matthew Kelly's "1000 Friends" initiative to support "The Schools Project", I am able to receive free advance copies his new books. Of all the business and leadership books I have read, "The Dream Manager" is one of my all-time favorites. In fact, it was as entertaining as it was informative, and I finished it only three days after it arrived at my house. Matthew Kelly is an extraordinary story-teller, and has a unique ability to embed the key learning points within the context of the story. This empowers you to learn without feeling as if you are being fed lessons.

I've applied these principles to my life, business, and my relationships with life-transforming results. As an inspirational speaker, Life & Business Empowerment Coach, and author of the bestselling book Taking LIFE Head On! (The Hal Elrod Story), my passion and purpose has long been helping others to achieve their dreams. The Dream Manager has given me a practical guide to living my purpose. My sincere and heartfelt gratitude goes out to Matthew Kelly for writing this important book. I highly recommend it.