Steward Leadership Starts with You

**How Might I Unleash Human Potential?**

This is the first question. The second question is, **How Might We Unleash Human Potential?**

** **

Self-actualization and transcendence start by studying the person in the mirror, taking radical responsibility for everything that person is and is not, and then following the WayMaker's path. The WayMaker's path is guided by ten tenets: Live Intentionally, Cultivate Curiosity, Pursue Wisdom, Uphold Truth, Be Relentless, Forge Courage, Embody Sisu, Foster Unity, Champion Freedom, and Build Legacy. These tenets expand from the self—the choice to take intentional control of our lives—and gradually become more outward-focused, ultimately building a legacy.

The first principles perspective of business is that business is an idea that makes people's lives better. To this end, those working to build a legacy are often the ones striving to create a representation of themselves that betters the world. In this way, business becomes an extension of oneself, creating a living legacy similar to how living intentionally fosters liberty in one’s life. Leadership, therefore, must start with the ability to lead oneself before graduating to the ability to lead others.

Steward Leadership captures this in a unique way that the concept of servant leadership does not. Servant leadership helped combat the traditional management relationship, which proposed that subjects serve a ruler or workers serve their boss. This was beneficial, but often the pendulum swung too far. Leaders with the best intentions found themselves overextended in an effort to serve their teams, often at the deficit of actually leading themselves or their teams effectively.

Steward Leadership balances the pendulum swing. Rather than the leader being served by their workers or the leader serving their team alone, steward leaders strive to be conduits within their environments. They remove obstacles, allocate resources, and work to unleash potential within themselves, their teams, and their environments. This holistic approach drives positive results comprehensively, requiring the leader to first lead themselves, then their teams, while also considering resources and constraints.

The concept of Steward Leadership beautifully positions the individual to reflect on their own actions and responsibilities while simultaneously leading their team towards shared goals. By embracing the dual pressures of self-leadership and team leadership, the steward leader is uniquely equipped to lead holistically and achieve their objectives.

**What type of leader are you, and how will you start applying Steward Leadership principles today?**

---

*Further reading: [Why Leave It to Chance?](/blog/why-leave-it-to-chance) — the move, the ratchet, and the economic weight of flipping the question.*