Episode 9 - Leaders Grow First: Repetition, Delegation, And The Dreams Vault

Big goals don’t move without people who are personally on fire. In Part Two, Reed and Chase sit down with Dane Espegard to unpack a leadership approach that treats employee dreams as the engine of performance—and then shows exactly how to operationalize that idea so it lasts longer than a motivational bump. From capturing dreams to breaking them into steps and setting target dates, Dane explains how simple systems and small nudges create momentum that spills over into sales, service, and culture.

We dig into the Dreams Vault, a lightweight platform that emails leaders each week with upcoming actions teammates set for themselves—like booking a flight or signing up for a race—so managers can send timely, human check-ins. We talk about replacing generic rewards with “buying a dream,” the kind of quirky, meaningful gifts that people actually talk about. That visibility makes accountability easier: performance conversations map directly to the life goals someone truly values. You also hear how Dane handles exits with abundance, creating long off-ramps and genuine support so people thrive, whether that’s here or elsewhere.

The second half gets personal and practical: making peace with repetition, delegating as a former do-it-all operator, and stepping back so emerging leaders can breathe. Dane shares how joining peer groups outside his industry accelerated growth and helped him design a culture where lessons are caught, not just taught. We close with what’s next: scaling the dreams movement, granting monthly dream scholarships across companies, and building a brand where the star isn’t a person—it’s the act of dreaming with intent.

If this conversation sparks ideas, follow the show, share it with a leader who needs it, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more people build teams where personal dreams power real results.

Want more from Dane? Visit him at  daneespigard.com or thedreamsvault.com