Stewardship in the New World: Be a King, a General, a Warrior, and a Listener to Succeed

The Leadership Traits That Will Shape the Future of Entrepreneurship

As the host of Build, Serve, Grow, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers who have one thing in common—they are all successful in their own right because they have mastered the art of stewardship. Stewardship, in its essence, is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to you. Whether it’s your business, your time, or your influence, how you manage what you have will ultimately determine your success.

In today’s world, the old paradigms of leadership and success are evolving. We’re no longer living in a time where success comes purely from top-down management or blind ambition. Instead, it’s about being multifaceted and adapting to the needs of the present world. To succeed in this ever-changing landscape, you need to be more than just a business owner or an entrepreneur. You must embody the roles of a King, a General, a Warrior, and a Listener—all in one.

Let’s break down these roles and explore why each is essential for your journey to success.

Be a King: Lead with Vision and Purpose

A king is not simply a ruler—he is a visionary. A king leads with purpose, focusing not just on the immediate, but on the long-term success of his people and kingdom. As entrepreneurs and leaders in today’s world, we must adopt this mindset. You need to have a clear vision of where you want to go and where you want to lead your business or project. Your vision is what will guide your actions and decisions in every phase of growth.

A king isn’t just focused on the day-to-day tasks; he is focused on the future. In the same way, as an entrepreneur, you must always think beyond the present and keep an eye on your long-term goals. Your vision will inspire your team, clients, and community to rally behind your cause, giving them a sense of purpose and direction.

Stewardship as a King means investing time in defining your purpose, aligning your team, and building something that lasts. You must make decisions that not only benefit you in the short term but serve the greater good of your business, your community, and the world. Building a legacy isn’t about personal gain—it’s about creating a lasting impact that transcends generations.

Be a General: Lead Strategically and Adapt

A general is not only skilled in the art of battle, but in strategy. As a general, you must understand how to lead your troops with precision, timing, and tactical brilliance. In today’s entrepreneurial world, this means knowing when to act, when to wait, and how to leverage your resources for the best possible outcome.

You don’t just charge ahead without thinking. You analyze the terrain, assess the risks, and make calculated decisions. In the same way, as a business leader or content creator, your success relies on your ability to strategically plan, adapt, and pivot when necessary. The world is moving fast, and the market is constantly shifting. A general knows when to be aggressive in pursuit of an opportunity, but also when to pull back and reassess a situation.

Stewardship as a General involves recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, and using that knowledge to create a winning strategy. You must know your audience, understand your market, and be able to make tough decisions based on data and intuition. You must also lead your team with confidence, motivating them through challenges and ensuring they’re always prepared for what lies ahead.

Be a Warrior: Take Action and Face Adversity Head-On

A warrior is a fighter, someone who is relentless in their pursuit of victory. As entrepreneurs and creators, we must embrace the warrior mentality. There will be challenges, setbacks, and obstacles along the way. The warrior doesn’t shrink from adversity; they face it head-on with resilience and determination.

In business, this means taking risks, pushing through failures, and continuing to move forward, no matter how difficult the road may seem. You can’t expect every step to be easy. It’s the moments of adversity that build your character, sharpen your skills, and ultimately lead to success.

Stewardship as a Warrior means showing up every day, even when things aren’t going well. It means being courageous in the face of uncertainty and believing in your vision even when it seems like the world is against you. It’s about persistence and perseverance, knowing that every battle you fight makes you stronger and more prepared for the next challenge.

Be a Listener: Adapt to the Needs of the World Around You

While the King, the General, and the Warrior are all vital aspects of leadership, there is one trait that is often overlooked: being a listener. In today’s fast-paced world, where everyone has something to say, it’s easy to forget the importance of listening. However, the greatest leaders are often those who can hear what others are saying and understand the needs of their community, their customers, and their teams.

A listener is someone who is attuned to the world around them. They listen to feedback, to market trends, and to the voices of those they serve. They don’t just make decisions based on their own knowledge; they seek out wisdom from others and adapt accordingly. The best leaders understand that success is not just about their own vision—it’s about meeting the needs of others and responding to what is happening in the world.

Stewardship as a Listener involves being receptive to new ideas, feedback, and insights from your team and customers. It means staying humble, recognizing that no one has all the answers, and being open to learning and growing. By listening deeply, you can anticipate changes, adapt your strategies, and ensure that you’re always moving in the right direction.

The New World of Entrepreneurship

The world of entrepreneurship and leadership has changed. In the past, success was often measured by how much you could outwork others, how hard you could grind, and how quickly you could build an empire. But today’s world requires more than just hustle—it requires wisdom, adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to serve others. It requires being a King, a General, a Warrior, and a Listener.

This is the kind of leadership we need in the new world. It’s about understanding the balance between vision, strategy, action, and empathy. It’s about being a steward of your business, your time, and your influence. And it’s about leading not just with authority, but with a heart for service and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

Conclusion

As I continue to host Build, Serve, Grow, I am reminded every day that true success isn’t just about what we achieve for ourselves—it’s about how we manage the gifts and responsibilities we’ve been given. The world needs leaders who are not only strong and strategic but compassionate and adaptive. To succeed, we must embrace the roles of the King, General, Warrior, and Listener. By doing so, we can create businesses, podcasts, and projects that not only thrive but change the world in meaningful ways.

So, as you move forward on your journey, remember that stewardship is about more than just managing—it’s about leading with vision, taking action, overcoming adversity, and listening to those around you. The world needs your leadership, and the journey has just begun.

Stay true to yourself, keep building, keep serving, and never stop growing