Move From Impossible To Possible: A Leadership Mindset Shift

In 1939, George Dantzig, a young mathematics student, became the protagonist of a famous story. One day, he arrived late to class because he had overslept. Rushing in, he saw two “additional” math problems written on the blackboard. He copied them down, assuming they were part of the exam assignments. For several days, he worked tirelessly until he solved them.

But here’s the surprise: those problems were not exam questions. They were actually famous unsolved problems in mathematics—so difficult that they normally required years of collaboration among top scientists to solve.

Dantzig had no idea they were difficult to solve, and yet, he solved them.

What happened here?

This story powerfully illustrates the power of perception.

Dantzig’s lack of limiting beliefs freed him to see possibility where others only saw barriers. What made the difference wasn’t just talent—it was mindset.

The Science Behind Possibility Thinking

• Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck, Stanford, 2006): When leaders believe challenges are opportunities rather than threats, they expand their brain’s capacity to adapt and solve problems. This “growth mindset” fuels innovation and resilience.
• Broaden-and-Build Theory (Barbara Fredrickson, UNC, 2009): Positive emotions broaden our attention and creativity. When we approach challenges with curiosity instead of fear, our brains access higher-order thinking and resourclness.
• Neuroplasticity (Doidge, 2007; Merzenich, 2013): The brain continuously rewires itself. By practicing possibility thinking, leaders literally create new neural pathways that make “the impossible” increasingly solvable.
• Stress regulation (McCraty, 2015): Studies reveal that leaders who regulate their stress through coherence practices improve problem-solving and innovation.

Leadership Application

Leaders often face challenges that seem impossible: navigating organizational change, managing burnout, balancing shareholder expectations with human well-being. The George Dantzig story reminds us that:

1. What you believe about a problem shapes how you approach it.
2. How you approach it shapes the solutions you generate.
3. The solutions you generate shape the future of your team and organization.

Practical Steps for Leaders

1. Reframe “impossible” challenges as opportunities to innovate. Ask: What if this were solvable?
2. Model resilience by staying calm under pressure—this regulates team stress responses (McCraty, HeartMath Institute, 2016).
3. Encourage experimentation—give teams permission to test, fail, and learn. Innovation thrives in psychological safety (Edmondson, Harvard Business School, 2019).

George Dantzig solved the unsolvable because he wasn’t told it couldn’t be done. As leaders, when we adopt this mindset, we unlock creativity, resilience, and the capacity to shape the future.

The next time you face a problem that feels insurmountable, ask yourself: Am I labeling this as impossible—or am I willing to step into the possible?

#GrowthMindset #AgileLeadership#Neurosciences

Resilient leaders don’t just manage pressure—they expand vision, influence, and impact. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible for your leadership, I open a few complimentary discovery sessions each month. Click here to see what’s included.

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