The Impossible Made Simple: How a Medieval Saint's 3-Step Formula Unlocks Modern Leadership Greatness
A 13th-century monk's revolutionary progression—from necessary to impossible—offers today's leaders a proven framework for extraordinary achievement.
In 1205, a young Italian merchant's son lay sick with fever after a failed military campaign. That moment transformed Francis Bernardone — later known as St. Francis of Assisi — from privileged aristocrat to spiritual revolutionary. Abandoning his inheritance, Francis embraced radical poverty, rebuilding dilapidated churches stone by stone and founding the Franciscan Order that would reshape European spirituality. His famous quote — "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible" — wasn't just philosophy but autobiography. Francis faced seemingly insurmountable challenges: opposition from his father, ridicule from former friends, and the daunting task of reforming a corrupt religious establishment. Yet through simple, incremental action, this unlikely leader built a movement that has endured eight centuries. His methodology wasn't complex — start small, build momentum, achieve breakthrough — but its impact has been immeasurable.
Leadership Principles
Incremental Momentum: Francis understood that breakthrough achievements require momentum, not miracles. This principle transformed Spanx founder Sara Blakely's journey from selling fax machines to building $1.2 billion enterprise. Blakely didn′t immediately seek investors or manufacturing partners. She started with what was necessary — cutting the feet out of panty hose to create a prototype. Then, she pursued what became possible — securing a patent with her $5,000 savings and convincing manufacturers to take a chance on her design. The impossible — revolutionizing an industry as a solo female entrepreneur with no fashion experience — happened because she respected the progression.
Disciplined Focus: The Franciscan approach demands mastering current responsibilities before seeking new challenges. When Satya Nadella took Microsoft's helm in 2014, the company had lost $300 billion in market value under previous leadership. Nadella first addressed what was necessary — shifting from a "know−it−all” to a "learn−it−all" culture. Next, he pursued what was possible — pivoting to cloud services and subscription models. The impossible result? Microsoft′s market value surged from $300 billion to over $2 trillion, outperforming every tech competitor. Nadella's disciplined progression — not attempting everything simultaneously — unlocked extraordinary results through ordinary discipline.
Scripture Connection
Francis's three-step progression echoes Jesus's words in Luke 16:10: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." This principle appears repeatedly throughout Scripture. Joseph's journey from slave to Egypt's prime minister unfolded through the same progression — faithfully managing Potiphar's household (necessary), administering the prison (possible), and eventually saving nations from famine (impossible). Similarly, David's ascent from shepherd to king followed identical steps — tending sheep faithfully (necessary), serving in Saul's court (possible), and ultimately unifying a kingdom (impossible). The progression isn't merely strategic but spiritual. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." Francis's methodology isn't just effective leadership — it's biblical stewardship that positions us for God-sized outcomes by mastering God-given responsibilities.
Reflection Questions
What "necessary but unattractive" task are you currently avoiding that, if mastered, would establish the foundation for your next breakthrough?
Where have you attempted the impossible without first building momentum through the necessary and possible steps? How might resequencing your approach unlock progress?
In what area of leadership has God entrusted you with "small things" that serve as preparation for larger responsibilities?
If you examined your calendar from the past month, what percentage of time went to necessary fundamentals versus jumping ahead to seemingly bigger opportunities?
Your Invitation
Stop attempting the impossible without the right foundation. In a focused 30-minute discovery call , we'll identify your precise "necessary next step" and map your progression toward breakthrough leadership impact. Leaders who follow this proven path consistently outperform those who chase shortcuts. Your extraordinary potential deserves this strategic investment — because the difference between frustration and breakthrough often comes down to sequence, not capability. Schedule now while this insight is fresh.
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