Stewardship, 2nd Edition

Entitlement Is Empowerment Run Aground

In coming out of a high-control governance system, we have a tendency to take advantage of the choice handed us. Partly to test the sincerity of the offer, partly as small acts of revenge. In the name of empowerment, I have heard people ask for the following:

• More pay

• A larger budget

• More people, more empire

• Freedom to pursue strictly personal projects

• Greater recognition and privilege

• Immunity from disappointment from those above

• A risk-free environment

We exploit our freedom in other ways that reinforce our zeal for entitlement:

• If a decision is made that we don’t agree with, we begin to undermine that decision, either actively or passively. Either way, it’s an act of aggression.

• We do ...