[August 06, 2014] “Giving back.” My grandmother told me many times that the trait that separated the most honorable people from the “average Joe” was the giving to those in need. Her philosophy was a religious one and something she believed in deeply. Senior leaders do more than give a few dollars to charitable organizations. The best of senior leaders dedicate a significant amount of their time, energy, and money to helping people. While this can be in many forms, their philanthropy should be noteworthy; otherwise they are just another leader.
Alexis de Tocqueville observed in the 19th century that a key to American democracy was that they did not rely on others – government, an aristocracy, or the church – to solve their public problems. Americans, he noted, built “voluntary associations.” They did it themselves, “private initiatives for the public good,” which is to say, philanthropy. This was only a characteristic of a democratic society governed my great leaders.
It is noteworthy that a senior leader who gives, must do so out of their heart and not from a requirement. If the leader is giving only to be “seen” as a good leader, then the giving is not from the heart. A senior leader without the passion to do great things will never be great. In baseball we call it the “heart of the game.” Without the internal burning desire to do something good for others, philanthropy will only mean going through the motions of being good.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Senior leaders are philanthropic … and only by desire. There is no standard by which this can be measured. Likewise, there is nothing that should motivate the greatest leaders to give of their efforts for the good of others. Motivation must come from within. My grandmother understood the difference and her wish was that she instilled this desire in her many grandchildren.
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