The Stewardship of Leaders

Upon embarking to Yemen, the Prophet (ﷺ) warned Mu’adh to "beware of luxury" and to prioritize the needs of the poor.

This instruction is embodied in the concept of 'Servant Leadership', which begins with the basic premise that one wants to serve others first, placing the needs of followers above self-interest. Wealth and status can detach a leader from the "Why" of their mission, leading to the "Success Syndrome" where internal politics outweigh external service.

As he (ﷺ) said to us, "I am not afraid that you will be poor, but I fear that worldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those who lived before you. So you will compete amongst yourselves for it, as they competed for it and it will destroy you as it did them."

A leader acts as a steward, holding that which they exert control over in trust for the greater good of society that they serve, rather than for their own personal consumption.

Consider this: Is your leadership presence defined by the service you provide or the perks you receive?