I view stewardship as a recognition that while we have the vested authority to do something such as consume a resource, we are doing so with a holistic understanding of the short & long term implications and not just seeking to meet a short term objective.
Management is similar in that we have the authority to do something, but the focus is not necessarily always taking the long term view into consideration.
Kiron
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Jan 13, 2024 2:05 PM
Luis Branco
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Dear Kiron Thank you for participating in this exchange of opinions Everything you mentioned as being part of the scope of stewardship is practiced by managers But I understand that it is nothing more than a fashion or something new introduced by modern movements. Project Stewardship instead of Project Management
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Luis,
in addition to Kiron's comparison:
- stewardship is an ethical activity striving to preserve resources
- management is applying resources to tasks most efficiently
So, stewardship does not have a primary focus on tasks and efficiency. Management has no primary focus on ethics and preserving resources, often on the contrary.
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Jan 13, 2024 2:10 PM
Luis Branco
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Dear Thomas Thank you for participating in this exchange of opinions Where did you get the idea that management is not an ethical activity striving to preserve resources? Was it in any empirical study?
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Jan 13, 2024 8:51 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Luis -
I view stewardship as a recognition that while we have the vested authority to do something such as consume a resource, we are doing so with a holistic understanding of the short & long term implications and not just seeking to meet a short term objective.
Management is similar in that we have the authority to do something, but the focus is not necessarily always taking the long term view into consideration.
Kiron
Dear Kiron Thank you for participating in this exchange of opinions Everything you mentioned as being part of the scope of stewardship is practiced by managers But I understand that it is nothing more than a fashion or something new introduced by modern movements. Project Stewardship instead of Project Management Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Jan 13, 2024 11:26 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
...
Luis,
in addition to Kiron's comparison:
- stewardship is an ethical activity striving to preserve resources
- management is applying resources to tasks most efficiently
So, stewardship does not have a primary focus on tasks and efficiency. Management has no primary focus on ethics and preserving resources, often on the contrary.
Dear Thomas Thank you for participating in this exchange of opinions Where did you get the idea that management is not an ethical activity striving to preserve resources? Was it in any empirical study?
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1 reply by Thomas Walenta
Jan 15, 2024 1:36 AM
Thomas Walenta
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Luis,
I did not look for studies (yet) and relied on my own experience from observing managers over 50 years, myself taking this role.
The definitions of the role of manager do mostly not include a reference to ethics. Similar applies BTW to the whole area of business theory, which is based on the flawed assumption that humans are rational.
The origin of the word "steward" is someone appointed by the king with the authority to govern some province. It is similar to management, however a steward has been explicitly granted authority to direct others.
As project managers, we often have the responsibility to carry out some endeavor but not the authority over all those involved. We typically need to get buy-in for support from other organizations rather than ruling by decree. If necessary, we may elevate our need for help from others to the steward or king, but we typically manage through influence rather than direct authority.
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Jan 14, 2024 4:06 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Keith Thank you for participating in this exchange of opinions Thank you for taking us back to the origin of the word steward What would you rather be: a steward or a manager? There are people, here in our community, who have been trying to push the project management profession up for years. Now, with this steward story, there are those who want to put project managers in their place: middle management or less They could at least let project managers dream
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Jan 13, 2024 3:03 PM
Replying to Keith Novak
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The origin of the word "steward" is someone appointed by the king with the authority to govern some province. It is similar to management, however a steward has been explicitly granted authority to direct others.
As project managers, we often have the responsibility to carry out some endeavor but not the authority over all those involved. We typically need to get buy-in for support from other organizations rather than ruling by decree. If necessary, we may elevate our need for help from others to the steward or king, but we typically manage through influence rather than direct authority.
Dear Keith Thank you for participating in this exchange of opinions Thank you for taking us back to the origin of the word steward What would you rather be: a steward or a manager? There are people, here in our community, who have been trying to push the project management profession up for years. Now, with this steward story, there are those who want to put project managers in their place: middle management or less They could at least let project managers dream
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1 reply by Keith Novak
Jan 14, 2024 1:00 PM
Keith Novak
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Although you haven't stated what you think stewardship is yourself, I seek neither to be a manager nor a steward. I am a leader first and foremost.
My ability to effectively manage is not a function of my rank. It is through giving others confidence that if we all work together on the same plan, we will all be successful.
Even in a very large organization, an experienced project manager can often influence management many levels above their own pay grade. If you can confidently "call your shot", make a plan, execute it, deliver what you said you would, and make people look good, they will give you more opportunities to make them look good in the future.
While management should include stewardship as a key characteristic, this is often not the case due to either organizational priorities and culture or the individual's values and personality. As such, explicitly referencing stewardship in a job title can help to realign the priorities.
Kiron
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Jan 14, 2024 11:04 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Kiron After the 2008 crisis (to save their own skin) managers began to rethink the concept of Governance Nowadays, they have to develop their profession in line with Governance for their organizations By the way. I have a friend who is involved with issues related to governance. He got a PhD, wrote a book and created a consulting company (apparently very successful). In conversation I told him: "There is no governance that can resist a lack of ethics." He smiled, obviously :-) You can change its name... but stewardship is for non-managers and below :-)
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Jan 14, 2024 8:01 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Luis -
While management should include stewardship as a key characteristic, this is often not the case due to either organizational priorities and culture or the individual's values and personality. As such, explicitly referencing stewardship in a job title can help to realign the priorities.
Kiron
Dear Kiron After the 2008 crisis (to save their own skin) managers began to rethink the concept of Governance Nowadays, they have to develop their profession in line with Governance for their organizations By the way. I have a friend who is involved with issues related to governance. He got a PhD, wrote a book and created a consulting company (apparently very successful). In conversation I told him: "There is no governance that can resist a lack of ethics." He smiled, obviously :-) You can change its name... but stewardship is for non-managers and below :-) Saving Changes...
Dear Keith Thank you for participating in this exchange of opinions Thank you for taking us back to the origin of the word steward What would you rather be: a steward or a manager? There are people, here in our community, who have been trying to push the project management profession up for years. Now, with this steward story, there are those who want to put project managers in their place: middle management or less They could at least let project managers dream
Although you haven't stated what you think stewardship is yourself, I seek neither to be a manager nor a steward. I am a leader first and foremost.
My ability to effectively manage is not a function of my rank. It is through giving others confidence that if we all work together on the same plan, we will all be successful.
Even in a very large organization, an experienced project manager can often influence management many levels above their own pay grade. If you can confidently "call your shot", make a plan, execute it, deliver what you said you would, and make people look good, they will give you more opportunities to make them look good in the future.
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1 reply by Luis Branco
Jan 14, 2024 1:58 PM
Luis Branco
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Dear Keith A leader is only such if he has followers I had never heard of someone declaring himself as a leader. Everything has a first time in life We can certainly influence many people in organizations, especially those who, after listening and/or reading our proposals, find them interesting. And decide to sponsor the projects that we propose to manage and lead
There are other possible scenarios: 1. Gain a reputation as a good project manager (a person who (thanks to their skills) delivers products and/or services in accordance with project requirements 2. Have the opportunity to demonstrate that you have the skills to manage projects, that is, to deliver products and/or services in accordance with project requirements
Talking about it, if you don't manage your projects.... Personally, I don't care if you feel comfortable being designated as an steward.
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Jan 14, 2024 1:00 PM
Replying to Keith Novak
...
Although you haven't stated what you think stewardship is yourself, I seek neither to be a manager nor a steward. I am a leader first and foremost.
My ability to effectively manage is not a function of my rank. It is through giving others confidence that if we all work together on the same plan, we will all be successful.
Even in a very large organization, an experienced project manager can often influence management many levels above their own pay grade. If you can confidently "call your shot", make a plan, execute it, deliver what you said you would, and make people look good, they will give you more opportunities to make them look good in the future.
Dear Keith A leader is only such if he has followers I had never heard of someone declaring himself as a leader. Everything has a first time in life We can certainly influence many people in organizations, especially those who, after listening and/or reading our proposals, find them interesting. And decide to sponsor the projects that we propose to manage and lead
There are other possible scenarios: 1. Gain a reputation as a good project manager (a person who (thanks to their skills) delivers products and/or services in accordance with project requirements 2. Have the opportunity to demonstrate that you have the skills to manage projects, that is, to deliver products and/or services in accordance with project requirements
Talking about it, if you don't manage your projects.... Personally, I don't care if you feel comfortable being designated as an steward.
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1 reply by Keith Novak
Jan 14, 2024 3:55 PM
Keith Novak
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Luis, I feel that you are trying to be insulting without coming out and doing so, but I will address your points or lack thereof directly.
First, if you wish to engage in a debate on whether PM is more of a management role or one of stewardship then please define your terms. Otherwise you may as well be debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
Secondly, of course people do not declare themselves a leader. The power of leadership comes from the people who choose to follow the leader of their own free will. You can't choose to be a leader, but you can choose to be the person that others want to follow. If people only follow your lead because they must, then you have greatly throttled the capabilities of the team.
Finally, if you don't think that a person who prioritizes leadership before authority cannot be a highly effective project manager, then personally I don't think the terms you choose to describe the nuances are worth debating.
