Leaders as Stewards

Stewardship is a very old term. Generally, it means the responsible planning and management of resources, especially those that are entrusted to one’s care or shared with others. It’s not a new term in the business world. Peter Block wrote a book called Stewardship in 1993. He defined the term as the willingness to be accountable for the well-being of the larger organization by operating in service, rather than in control, of those around us.

You have a role to play as a steward of your team, your organization, your ecosystem, and the planet. Your role as a leader is pivotal in ensuring the responsible management and sustainable use of resources, whether they are natural, financial, or human. And the timeline isn’t the next quarter—it is also for the long-term for the benefit of present and future generations.

Here are some key aspects of your role as a steward: 

Vision and Values: Identify and live a vision and values that prioritize responsible resource management.

Ethical Decision-Making: Make ethical decisions, ensuring resource utilization aligns with societal values and ethical standards. Of course, you, too, have your own moral compass to which you want to align.

Sustainability: Champion sustainability, aiming to minimize environmental, social, and organizational impacts. Businesses can and must do more to ensure businesses thrive in the future.

Transparency and Accountability: Promote transparency and accountability in resource management, including open communication and data disclosure. We’ve all seen examples of organizations that mismanaged ethics and found themselves in the public eye for all the wrong reasons. Do right, and you won’t go wrong.

Innovation and Adaptability: Foster innovation, adapt to change, and drive strategies that ensure long-term resource sustainability. It doesn’t matter what function you are in today—every part of an organization has a role to play.

Organizations that are leading in climate action, transparency, and ethical practices are earning a premium in practical ways (see another post).