Legacy Over Likes: What Pope Francis Can Teach Us About Real Leadership
¡Conectemos!
We live in a world obsessed with followers, likes, and going viral. But true leadership? It doesn’t live in hashtags—it lives in legacy.
Pope Francis never asked for attention, yet he changed the world.
He didn’t fight for power—he led with purpose.
He wasn’t flashy—but his humility lit up the planet.
If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or leader trying to build something real, something lasting—this article is for you.
🌍 Who Is Pope Francis? A Quick Story of Humble Beginnings
Before he became Pope Francis, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio—a kid from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The son of immigrants. A man of faith. A Jesuit priest who rode public buses, cooked his own meals, and served the poor—not from behind a podium, but from the street.
He never planned to be Pope. But when Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013, the world needed a different kind of leader. Someone not obsessed with power, but rooted in purpose.
On the fifth vote, the cardinals chose Bergoglio.
He chose the name Francis, honoring Saint Francis of Assisi—the barefoot saint who gave up wealth to serve the forgotten.
That name was a message: This papacy would be about people, not power.
🕊️ The Legacy of Pope Francis in the Catholic Church
Francis changed the tone of the Church.
He opened doors, apologized for the past, embraced the future, and stayed present with the people. His leadership wasn’t just symbolic—it was systemic:
🌱 He simplified the Vatican’s lifestyle—rejecting luxury and choosing transparency.
🏳️🌈 He extended empathy to LGBTQ+ communities with the words, “Who am I to judge?”
🧒 He confronted abuse, created systems of accountability, and met face-to-face with victims.
🌎 He wrote Laudato Si’, a groundbreaking letter about climate, economy, and the planet.
🕊️ He pushed for unity across religions, races, and beliefs.
He reminded the world that leadership is not about being served—it’s about serving with love.
☕ 8 Leadership Lessons Small Business Owners Can Learn from Pope Francis
This one’s for the entrepreneurs. The baristas. The hustlers. The humans building something from the ground up.
If Pope Francis ran a coffee shop, a barbershop, or a taco truck—he’d do it with soul. Here’s how:
1. Lead with Presence, Not Power
Your team doesn’t need a boss. They need someone who shows up with heart.
At 787 Coffee, I still mop floors and pull shots when needed. Presence is leadership.
Apply it: Be there. Listen more. Control less.
2. Keep It Simple. Make It Clear.
Francis speaks with clarity. His messages feel human.
As a business owner, clarity cuts through chaos.
Apply it: Simplify your menu. Your systems. Your message. Confused teams don’t win.
3. Make Space for Everyone
Pope Francis didn’t draw lines—he opened circles.
Diversity isn’t a trend—it’s strength.
Apply it: Hire humans from different backgrounds. Create spaces where everyone feels safe.
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4. Own the Mistakes. Outgrow the Past.
He didn’t hide from the Church’s past—he faced it.
Real leaders own what went wrong so they can build what’s right.
Apply it: If your business messes up, apologize fast. Fix it faster.
5. Serve Before You Shine
Francis literally washed feet.
In your business, be the first to clean, to help, to support.
Apply it: Don’t delegate the dirty work. Share it.
6. Tell a Bigger Story
Francis made the papacy about purpose. Not just rituals, but reasons.
Your business should stand for something bigger than your product.
Apply it: Share your “why.” Tell customers why your story matters.
7. Be Consistent with Your Values
He doesn’t flip-flop. He’s rooted.
If you say you stand for quality, sustainability, or community—live it.
Apply it: Audit your actions. Do they match your brand?
7. Be Consistent with Your Values
He doesn’t flip-flop. He’s rooted.
If you say you stand for quality, sustainability, or community—live it.
Apply it: Audit your actions. Do they match your brand?
8. Create Moments of Humanity
Francis makes time to hug, smile, connect.
Business is human. Every transaction is a chance to create emotion.
Apply it: Greet your team. Thank your customers. Feel every moment.
💡 How to Apply These Lessons at Work, at Home, and in Your Life
Whether you lead a store, a family, or just your own dream—these lessons scale. Here’s how:
As a business owner: Build with soul. Lead with humility. Stay close to the mission.
As a manager: Support your team like you’d support your own kids. Lead with patience.
As a human at home: Listen deeply. Apologize when needed. Love louder.
As a Latino entrepreneur: Remember—your culture, your struggle, your corazón—they are your superpowers.
I am here to help you turn YOUR brandON
YOU GOT THIS! Stay caffeinated.
🧠 Final Sip: Legacy Over Likes
In a world that measures success in likes, I invite you to measure it in legacy.
In loyalty.
In the lives you’ve touched.
In the leaders you’ve built.
Pope Francis didn’t sell products—he sold possibility. And that’s the energy we need to bring into every café, every boardroom, every home.
✍️ Brandon Ivan Peña is a business coach, Latino entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of 787 Coffee and Creative Fucker. He teaches leaders how to scale with soul, build teams that thrive, and grow with purpose. For more insights, workshops, and resources, visit soybrandon.com and follow him @soybrandon