AIM x SAC Steward Leadership Masterclass: Leading with Purpose in a Complex World
The call for values-driven business practices is growing stronger in an era where sustainability and innovation are critical to long-term success.
Responding to this, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), through its School of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning (AIM-SEELL), partnered with Singapore-based Stewardship Asia Centre (SAC) to host the Masterclass, “Leading with Purpose: Doing Well by Doing Good.” Held at the AIM campus, the session was led by SAC Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Peshawaria, a globally recognized authority in leadership, governance, and sustainability.
Why Steward Leadership, and Why Now?
Rajeev opened the session by challenging the effectiveness of current global efforts toward sustainability. He emphasized that despite over USD30 trillion in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments, progress on climate and social challenges remains insufficient.
“Leadership is a verb, not an adjective,” Rajeev said. “It is a burning desire to create a better future.”
He introduced Steward Leadership (ESL) as a necessary evolution—an approach grounded in the belief that long-term success comes from aligning profit with purpose. It encourages leaders to act with empathy, adopt a long-term view, take ownership, and develop creative resilience.
ESG vs. ESL: The Difference in Doing Good
Enterprise Steward Leadership (ESL) is more than just a leadership style—it is a mindset. It empowers leaders to act on behalf of others, including future generations, while driving sustainable growth.
The framework is built on four core values:
- Interdependence – Recognizing the connectedness of all stakeholders
- Long-term view – Prioritizing lasting impact over short-term gain
- Ownership mentality – Leading as if the organization’s legacy depends on you
- Creative resilience – Innovating through uncertainty and adversity
Unlike ESG, where governance is one component, Steward Leadership sees governance as a subset of leadership itself, reframing success through the lens of collective well-being, legacy, and shared value.
“Let’s not demonize the word profit, because profit is going to solve today’s challenges,” Rajeev emphasized. “But Steward Leadership is both a head and a heart game. Just having a good heart is not enough—you need a great head to innovate and find those profitable solutions. And trust me, that’s harder than normal business.”
A Practical Guide: The Steward Leadership Compass©
During the Masterclass, Rajeev introduced the Steward Leadership Compass©, a strategic tool designed to help leaders reflect, align, and act according to their personal and organizational purpose.
This tool is applicable across sectors and helps organizations translate values into action. It addresses the gaps in ESG by enabling sustained, values-based leadership.
The process includes:
- Identifying five core stewardship values that reflect the organization’s ethos
- Defining a stewardship purpose, or long-term vision that drives decisions
- Regularly reviewing organizational practices to ensure alignment with the compass
Partnerships for Purpose-Driven Leadership
The Steward Leadership Masterclass reinforces AIM-SEELL’s commitment to developing not just skilled professionals, but leaders with a conscience—capable of navigating complexity with clarity and purpose.
“For me, the next step after this session is reflection—re-evaluating my mindset,” shared Ludwig O. Federigan, EMDRCM 2020 alumnus and Masterclass panel member.
“Changing how we think is essential, but that alone isn’t enough. A change in mindset must be matched by a change in lifestyle. Compliance, in my view, simply means meeting the minimum standard—it’s the baseline, not the goal. If we want to make real impact, we need to go beyond compliance.”
As organizations face increasing uncertainty, climate challenges, and disruptive change, the need for steward leaders has never been more urgent. Whether you’re a senior executive, policymaker, or emerging leader, our open enrollment and custom programs are open to organizations that are committed to shaping a future defined by purpose and resilience.
Explore our programs at AIM-SEELL and start building the future of leadership—today.
