All of us have great ideas hidden somewhere in our minds. But while coming up with ideas is one thing, bringing them to life is an entirely different skill. Maybe you possess a creative spirit, constantly dreaming up new projects and envisioning grand accomplishments in different areas. Yet, turning these dreams into reality often requires something crucial: the right combination. Understanding how people with different approaches complement each other in the business world is the true key to successful projects.
The “Dreamer, Doer, and Incrementalist” model steps in precisely at this point. Each of these character types is powerful on its own, but their right combinations make even the grandest ideas come to life. Let’s explore how these combinations work.
Dreamers: The Power of Vision
Dreamers are the source of big ideas, bold projects, and limitless imagination. Their minds are constantly buzzing with new concepts. They excel at seeing the big picture, inspiring those around them with their vision of the future. But there’s a known challenge for dreamers: achieving success on their own. They often struggle with the details, and the monotony of daily tasks can leave their ideas incomplete.
Here, the ideal partner for dreamers steps in: Doers.
Doers: Bringing Ideas to Life
Doers are the exact opposite of dreamers yet serve as their perfect complement. They are practical thinkers, detail-oriented, and experts at turning ideas into concrete actions. Doers take the lofty ideas of dreamers, ground them, and bring them to life through step-by-step execution. This explains a common dynamic in the business world: the visionary CEO paired with a practical COO who plans and organizes everything.
However, doers can also have a weakness: an aversion to risk. Their realistic thinking may make them skeptical of the more ambitious ideas dreamers present. This is where the third type, Incrementalists, comes into play to keep projects moving forward.
Incrementalists: Walking the Balance
Incrementalists have the unique ability to dream big while also handling the practicalities. This allows them to work in harmony with both dreamers and doers. They can shape ideas creatively and then implement them systematically. However, their biggest challenge is that they often focus on multiple projects simultaneously. This can lead to burnout or leave projects unfinished.
The Perfect Combination: Dreamer + Doer
These two types complement each other perfectly. The dreamer sets the vision, sketching out the big picture, while the doer breaks down this vision into small, manageable steps and executes them. Take, for example, a creative startup founder who is brimming with new ideas but needs a doer to handle the financial and operational details. This combination ensures that projects benefit from both imagination and practical thinking. In other words, it enables ideas to stay grounded and take off.
The Ideal Trio: Dreamer + Incrementalist + Doer
One of the most powerful combinations is the synergy between all three. The dreamer kicks off the project with visionary ideas; the incrementalist refines these ideas and turns them into a strategy, and the doer ensures the plan is executed smoothly. Imagine launching a major marketing campaign: the dreamer sets the theme and target, the incrementalist plans the strategy across different channels, and the doer implements the strategy step-by-step, managing the campaign. This balance not only initiates the project but also brings it to a successful conclusion.
Strategists’ Partnership: Incrementalist + Doer
Incrementalists work well with doers because they can generate new ideas while also evaluating their feasibility. Doers, on the other hand, organize and execute these ideas effectively. This partnership is particularly powerful in large-scale projects. For instance, in a tech startup, an incrementalist might work on developing new products and features, while a doer ensures the project stays on schedule and within budget.
Finding Your Type and Your Ideal Combination
To use this model effectively, the first step is to identify your own type and understand the types of people around you. If you’re a dreamer, you should look for a practical doer to support your projects. If you are an incrementalist, create an environment where you can both bring ideas to life and use your imagination to its fullest.
Remember, success in business and all areas of life is not achieved by the effort of a single person alone, but by the fusion of different talents. The magical combination of dreamers, doers, and incrementalists could be the key to turning your ideas into reality.
So, which role do you identify with, and who do you collaborate with to bring your projects to life? You might just be on the verge of discovering your greatest potential.
