Stewardship is the name given to a theory and model for educational leadership and administration developed by the Department of Educational Administration at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In the stewardship theory, the job of the personnel administrator is to make it safe for others to find their own best ways of doing things to accomplish the tasks and reach the goals of the individuals and the organization. Thus, the steward's role is analogous to that of the wizard Merlyn who served as King Arthur's tutor and mentor. Stewardship theory focuses on three generations of concepts and skills: human interactions, effective job skills, and determining what ought to be. The stewardship model has five continuously interrelated process components that can guide the actions of an effective and efficient personnel administrator. These are assessment, appointment, allocation, agency, and accountability. Personnel administrators must actually be able to designate responsibilities to be performed. They must also have the autonomy to allocate available human, financial, physical, and time resources. In addition, wise personnel directors must give others the opportunity to exert autonomy, creativity, and initiative in carrying out their responsibilities. Finally, personnel administrators must be accountable for their stewardships. (MN)