Block’s Model of Stewardship

Running head: BLOCK’S MODEL OF STEWARDSHIP
Block’s Model of Stewardship
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BLOCK’S MODEL OF STEWARDSHIP
According to Block, (1993), the act of putting service before self is the basis of
stewardship in any organization or firm. Stewardship is basically a concept that covers a lot of
elements and parameters within its boundaries. All these elements encompass the principle of
being accountable for one’s own deeds to a larger organization and placing the goals and
objectives of that organization before personal goals. Stewardship in Block’s Model is dependent
on empowerment of other employees. In other words, stewardship focuses on the steps taken to
change the organizational structure and the way in which an organization functions. According to
Block, (1993), stewardship is the act of giving the right to individuals at the bottom level of an
organization to decide how that employee wants to serve a customer or a citizen or a community.
Service is the biggest component of any organization that focuses on the concept of
stewardship. As a matter of fact, service is considered to be the language of stewardship
(Madison et al., 2016). The model of Stewardship for Block was based on the following aspects:
 The most important concept is the balance of power, where in every one should have the
right to decide for themselves and deciding for someone else only undermines them even
if that decision is correct and viable
 The primary goal of any individual or team in any organization is to cater to the needs of
organization and not individual goals or team goals as it portrays the self- centeredness
associated with that individual or team
 Every person in the organization should also have the right to determine the culture that
the organization will grow into and each person should contribute towards a culture of
constant change

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BLOCK’S MODEL OF STEWARDSHIP
 Lastly, in any organization as all the employees and resources promote higher growth and
cater to the organizational objectives, it is very important for them to be rewarded equally
whenever the firm excels in its performance or sustains substantial growth
With an amalgamation of these key factors and stewardship values, ultimate service is
provided not only to the clients but to the community as a whole (Van et al., 2012). However, in
today’s generation this is not completely possible and the reality is way different from
application of such values in any organization. In his book Block tells how governance using
these principles can be applied in any organization. According to most theories of stewardship,
the best quality of service and promotion of organizational change cannot be brought about
through a structure of rigid and complex disciplinary policies and rules. It is brought about
through some flexibility in operations and slowly over time by adapting to the ever changing
situations of technology and management.
In today’s world leadership has taken up the position of stewardship and is leading
organizations to earn more and not cater to the community as a whole (Schillemans, 2013).
However, the values that leadership should primarily focus on are the facts that leadership should
set an example for future generations while taking care of the subordinates. This is so because
the behavior of the present generation depends upon how they are treated by the people of the
previous generation (Garrod et al., 2012). Stewardship unlike leadership does not focus on
trying gain control of the world around. Like every other managerial concept, the stewardship
model also has certain advantages and disadvantages that affect not only the employees but also
the organization and the community as a whole.