We must pass the best things of our world to the next generations in a form as good or better than we found it. This is stewardship, a form of leadership to last ages, whether a creating family business, a government, or the environment.
Stewards are the leaders who recognize timeless values of the organization. They take the long view. They are not defined by title or salary. Instead they are defined by principles. They often do not seek the spotlight. They may have to be sought out for their input, but they are the people to whom, when they speak, everyone listens. Stewards do their work with faithfulness. They hold the highest ideals of the organization as their standard while not fooling themselves about the challenges they face.
The steward’s worth cannot always be seen though the traditional lens of short-term wins and losses. A short-term win is important as it provides a spurt in energy and optimism. However, a short-term win coupled with achieving it while adhering to timeless values are what takes that small burst of kinetic energy with an untapped mass of potential energy and turns it into momentum. This is the ideal the stewards push towards.
Decide the values upon which you will build your company, build your family, and build your life. Each set may be different, but each requires a steward to help it grow and last for generations.
Stoic Optimism 