Returning to the foundations can sometimes feel frustrating.
Many people grow weary of routine, the repetition of drills, and the discipline of going back to basics. Yet, this process—this continual return—is the foundation of becoming truly fluent in anything.
When I used to teach guitar lessons, I would often remind my students that the length of their instruction was far less important than the hours they dedicated to practice. True comfort and mastery in playing wouldn’t come from simply receiving lessons but from logging enough hours to internalize their craft.
This principle ties directly to the life of St. Norbert (1080-1134), whom we celebrate today. After his dramatic conversion to radical discipleship, Norbert set out to reform the Canons Regular, a community of priests committed to a structured, Gospel-centered life. This movement became a precursor to the Augustinians, formally established in 1244. Norbert’s approach to reform was clear: return to the basics—patterning one’s life after Scripture.
Consider this quote from Norbert himself:
“Never be tired of studying these writings, where you find a short exhortation to remain faithful in serving God. For the word of God is fiery; it is inflamed with the Holy Spirit, it consumes vices and promotes virtues. It bestows wisdom on well-disposed people and provides for them heavenly food.”
Norbert understood the importance of grounding his community in the fundamentals of faith. He didn’t seek innovation for its own sake—he sought faithfulness. He reminded his followers daily of the foundational story they lived, returning again and again to the basics of Christian life.
Two Leadership Lessons from St. Norbert
- Make the Vision a Daily Reality
- As leaders, we must make the story of our mission foundational to our daily work. We need to remember it, live it, and ensure that others are reminded of it. The vision of where we are going—the mission that drives us and the values we uphold—cannot be emphasized enough. In the Christian life, the same principle applies: we must keep prayer and Scripture at the center, just as Norbert exemplified.
- Repetition Leads to Transformation
- Norbert didn’t rely on an expansive library of theological texts. He returned daily to the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—with his community. As someone who reflects on Gospel readings each morning, I can attest to their unfailing ability to pierce the heart and inspire. In leadership, however, we often assume that saying something once is enough. My friend Doug Campbell frequently quotes Gino Wickman, who teaches that an idea must be communicated seven times in seven different ways before it is truly heard. Are we leading with this expectation—that truth must be reinforced through repetition before it takes root in hearts, habits, and systems?
Consider the words of St. Paul:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16
St. Norbert’s life reminds us that great leadership—whether in ministry or in our daily work—is about returning, refining, and reinforcing. We don’t need new ideas as much as we need faithfulness to the mission we have. Live the mission. Speak the truth. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
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