One principle of leadership that used to be in fashion is that its leadership are its stewards, to protect and support the flock, to ensure it can survive and thrive.

But not anymore.

The flock no longer includes everyone in these more recent years, where leaders are more concerned with power, its trappings, their own prominence, prestige, and less concerned about what happens to the sick and infirm.

Protection of the flock is only for some, others freely given to the wolves, often at a profit for those who’ve taken on the stewardship.

Stewardship now is a role filled with wolves, having fleeced enough of the flock to present themselves as strong and powerful enough to protect the right people from the wrong people, while not answering questions about why the steward has such big teeth.

Much of the world is now being fleeced by so many rich and powerful wolves, spruiking their strength, their power, and proclaiming their benevolence in letting some of the flock to not be fleeced this time, only for the flock to later find out there is nothing to eat.

At least in the past the wolves did a better job of trying to look like part of the flock, now they just grin, bare their fangs and tell you they won’t harm you because you’re special.

Stewardship used to mean something, leadership used to mean something. Now all you get is a wolf in shabbier clothes.

Zainab Carver - Comments at Young Leaders Symposium