Why Giant Leaps Fail: The Art of Small Beginnings
Every January, I watch the same movie play out. A family business leader sits across from me, exhausted but determined, and slides a piece of paper across the desk. It’s a list of "Big Hairy Audacious Goals" for the New Year. Double revenue. Open three new locations. Finally sort out the succession plan.
The energy is high. The intention is noble. But by March, that paper is usually buried under a pile of invoices, and the "new" strategy has been suffocated by the "old" urgent.
Why does this happen? It’s not a lack of ambition. It’s a misunderstanding of how growth actually works. We are conditioned to think that massive success requires massive action. But both modern psychology and Biblical wisdom tell us a different story.
If you really want to secure your legacy in 2026, stop looking for the giant leap. Start looking for the atomic habit.
The Power of the Mustard Seed
In his bestselling book Atomic Habits, James Clear popularizes a concept that feels almost counterintuitive: the 1% rule. He argues that if you can get just 1% better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done. Conversely, if you get 1% worse each day for one year, you decline nearly down to zero.
It’s the aggregation of marginal gains.
This isn't just a business hack; it’s a spiritual truth. I am reminded of the verse in Zechariah 4:10: "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin."
In a family business, we often despise the small beginnings. We want the harvest without the planting. We want the "peaceful Thanksgiving dinner" without the years of difficult, weekly conversations that build trust. We forget that the mighty oak is just a nut that holds its ground.
You Do Not Rise to Your Goals
Clear writes, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."
This is the single most common point of failure I see in multi-generational enterprises. You can have a goal to "improve family harmony," but if your system for communication is a shouting match at the Sunday dinner table, your goal is irrelevant.
To change the output, you must change the input.
The Goal: "We want a smooth succession."
The System: Implementing a monthly "Next Gen" mentorship lunch where the rising generation listens to stories from the founders.
The Goal: "We want to be more professional."
The System: Placing an empty chair at every meeting to represent the business as a separate stakeholder (a concept we discussed in The Third Entity: Giving the Family Business a Seat at the Table).
When you focus on the system, the daily, weekly, and monthly habits, the goal takes care of itself.
Identity-Based Habits: Who Are You?
The deepest layer of behavior change isn't about what you do, but who you are.
Many founders struggle to step away because their identity is wrapped up in "being the Boss." The habit of micromanaging isn't just a bad habit; it's a symptom of an identity crisis. To change the habit, you must shift the identity from "Owner" to "Steward."
A Steward doesn't need to control every decision; a Steward raises up others to make good decisions. When you view yourself through the lens of stewardship, your habits shift naturally. You stop hoarding information and start sharing wisdom. You stop critiquing and start coaching.
Ask Yourself:
What is one "1% improvement" we can make this week? (e.g., ending meetings 5 minutes early to recap action items, or writing one thank-you note to a long-time employee).
Does our daily routine reflect our stated values? If we value "family," does our calendar show it? (See my thoughts on Alignment Beyond the Balance Sheet).
Who am I becoming? Am I building habits that reinforce my identity as a fearful owner, or a faithful steward?
Faithfulness in the Little Things
We often look for the "lightning bolt" moment that will save the business or fix the family. But legacy isn't built in a lightning bolt. It is built in the quiet, unglamorous consistency of showing up, day after day.
It is the discipline to Prune the Dead Vine even when it's painful. It is the humility to admit when you are the "Older Brother" in the Prodigal Son story and need to change your heart.
This January, I challenge you to lower the bar. Yes, you heard me. Stop trying to change everything at once. Pick one small, "atomic" habit. A 10-minute check-in. A committed date night with your spouse. A weekly review of your cash flow.
Be faithful in the little things. For it is in the little things that the big things are born.