Why Do Organizations Fear Dreaming BIG?

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Social media pundit, Kunal Gupta, recently shared a reflection in a great post from Paulo Coelho’s, “The Alchemist.” It’s a summary of four reasons he and many of us often stop pursuing our BIG dreams.

“The first is that I am scared of failure and don’t believe I can actually do it.

The second is that I am told that I cannot do it and won’t succeed.

The third is that I’m afraid of leaving my loved ones behind as I go on my journey.

And the fourth is that I’m fearful of being successful and what it means.”

Perhaps it’s a bit of a stretch, but I think the same four barriers apply to organizations. After all, organizations are simply a social construct comprised of human beings.

I believe that BIG organization dreams have been too often connected or affiliated with the notorious Big Hairy Audacious Goals or “BHAGS.” Ironically, BHAGS may limit the inspiration of meaningful, big dreams. Why? Because they are frequently defined in “reach for the sky” sales, revenue, market share and/or other financial aspirations. And few people, except top executives, who have these attached to big compensation, get turned on by these kinds of BHAGS. There is little emotional attachment for anyone aside from those that can connect the BHAG to a Bentley.

Nevertheless, when our Moon Shot involves making the world better for humans, it’s usually exciting and purpose driven. Once we settle in on that BIG human impact, we can then take a hard look through Coelho’s lens about what might be in the way.

Are we afraid of failure? Do we believe we can actually do it?
Are we willing to look past the naysayers who tell us we can’t?
Do we have the courage to compassionately and definitely leave those that don’t want to travel with us behind?
Do we have the energy to embrace success and overcome all the fears related to sustaining it?

I’ve been asking that about myself, Belongify and CulturGenix, two startups I’ve co-founded. I’ve been reflecting on the same for advancing the later season of my personal life. I’ve observed the same struggles within organizations of all sizes, and almost every human I deeply care for.

The Moon Shot and BIG dream is less about counting and collecting what we take (including from competition) than it is about making a positive difference for others. Perhaps that spirit partly explains why so many loved the Apple+ series, Ted Lasso, or the movie starring Woody Harrelson, Champions. “Feel Good” is not soft mush for naive simpletons, it’s what really taps into why we’re really here.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: You know something? I sort of resent BHAGs. I think most positive global impacts were accidental. I prefer stories like this, of which there are many: For example, on May 8th, 1886, someone named Dr. John Stith Pemberton gave someone else in his Atlanta, Georgia community a new soda fountain drink syrup, that he’d sell at Jacob’s Pharmacy. In 1886, they’d sell about nine drinks a day, but in 2023 you’d better recognize this beverage as Coca-Cola.

We all naturally develop BHAGs, Moon Shots, BIG dreams, etc. However, I think it’s really cool that sometimes our services or products “accidentally” rocket to the moon because they’re simply good enough for us, and we’re not putting a limit on how many people can agree.

- Garrett

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis

Why Do Organizations Fear Dreaming BIG?

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