When Teams Dream: How Leaders Create Space for Collective Imagination

What happens when a team dreams—not just the leader, not just the individual contributors, but the collective whole?

In this episode of the Leadership Vision Podcast, we continue our series on “Dreaming” with Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring, drawing insights from their book Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane. We explore the idea of shared dreams within teams and how leaders play a pivotal role in creating the space for those dreams to take shape and thrive.

Leadership That Makes Dreaming Possible

“Isn’t a dream a way that we imagine a new possibility for ourselves?” Brian asks early in the episode. But when it comes to teams, dreaming gets complex. The dream isn’t just the leader’s—it’s the team’s. And the leader’s role? To create a context where dreaming is permissible, even encouraged.

“Leaders who are dreamers are the ones who are willing to cash everything in for a dream,” Brian continues. “They’re also willing to give one up quickly.” It’s this flexibility, paired with intentionality, that sets great leaders apart. They create cultures of imagination, transformation, and possibility.

Dreams Are Not Visions—They’re Aspirations

A key moment in the episode is the distinction between dreams and visions. As Linda puts it:

“A dream is more aspirational. It’s a desire for the future. Vision is more clear, more detailed. Vision moves an organization. Dreams awaken people.”

Dreams breathe life into work. And in that dreaming, individuals uncover more of themselves, often more than a strategic plan alone ever could.

Dreaming Together: Teams in Sync

But how do we help teams dream?

Brian and Linda offer real-world stories from their consulting work with Leadership Vision. They describe teams of women leaders learning how to support one another’s aspirations, and teams of middle managers uncovering a desire for cohesion and empowerment. In all these cases, dreams didn’t come from a formal “dream session,” but emerged in the day-to-day relationships and shared goals.

“Dreams happen when people gather,” Linda reflects. “In the gathering, people start to practice dreaming together.”

Whether it’s imagining a more collaborative workplace or envisioning what peak team performance could look like, dreaming starts with curiosity, connection, and a willingness to listen deeply.

Three Dimensions of Dreaming

Throughout the conversation, three lenses of dreaming emerge:

1. Leaders dreaming – imagining possibilities not just for the team’s output, but for the individuals within it.
2. Team members dreaming – identifying personal aspirations and how those align with the group.
3. Teams dreaming together – co-creating a future where everyone’s potential is activated.

“What if,” Brian posits, “we created places where individuals feel they’re not just fulfilling the dream of someone else—but their own dream, too?”

When these three levels align, the result is a powerful culture where transformation becomes a lived experience.

A Final Invitation to Reflect

At the end of the episode, we’re invited to pause and reflect:

“Go back to the dreams that made you feel alive,” Linda says. “Not just the dreams you wrote down, but the moments you felt stronger, smarter, more capable—what made those dreams real?”

Whether you’re leading a team, supporting others, or seeking clarity in your own role, dreaming has a place. And perhaps the first step is simply asking: What’s your professional dream?

Call to Action

Listen to the full episode to explore how you can be part of a team that doesn’t just chase goals, but dares to dream together. If something resonates, share it with a colleague or team member. Start a conversation. Start a dream.

Question to Ponder:
What’s one professional dream you’ve let go of that might be worth revisiting—and who could help you bring it to life?