Kids seem to be teaching us a lot these days. Last week we learned about empathy, loyalty and teamwork, thanks to a co-ed team of fifth graders from New Jersey, and later, we were inspired by seven-year-old Chloe Bridgewater and her “Dear Google Boss” letter to follow your dreams.
Chloe asked her dad where his ideal place to work would be and he said, “Oh, Google would be a nice place to work,” because of its incredible culture and pacesetting work. When Chloe heard her dad’s answer, she wanted to work there, too, especially since she already had expressed an interest in the company.
It didn’t take long for Chloe to fire off this letter to Google when her dad encouraged her to “get the ball rolling.” Much to Chloe’s surprise, Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, not only responded, he encouraged her to follow her dreams and to be sure to apply when she is finished with school!
You can imagine how Chloe’s resolve to work for Google someday was further solidified by Pichai’s encouraging letter. Whether you’re the leader of a multinational tech company like Google or a seven-year-old who loves technology, following your dreams helps provide you with direction and purpose.
The tenor of Pichai’s response in his letter to Chloe clearly reflects an enlightened CEO who inspires purpose and passion in his company. And what great leader wouldn’t take the chance to inspire future generations of passionate would-be employees? Pichai’s actions embody the Google dream.
Because dreams also convey aspirational and emotional ideas from the heart, our direction has greater meaning and, best of all, endurance. If you are moved by a greater purpose, you can endure the peaks and valleys you encounter along the way. While Bridgewater and Pichai’s heartwarming exchange is a testament to all things good in this world, it’s also a great reminder that our inspirational visions, much like Chloe’s dream, are meant to motivate and sustain us.
We all dream of what we want to be when we grow up. I would argue we should continue dreaming as adults so we inspire one another with a greater sense of purpose strong enough to see us through the good and challenging times ahead. After all, we have a few years before Chloe and other children from Generation Z start submitting their applications.
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