When you're a billionaire, sometimes it's easy to lead by example. But Warren Buffet's decision to donate $30-some billion...starting right now, right here...that's leadership.
According to the story in the NY Times (sorry, not a blog-friendly link):
Mr. Buffett plans to give away 85 percent of his fortune, or about $37.4 billion, all in Berkshire stock. Of that amount, he will channel the greatest share, about $31 billion, into the Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation, dedicated to improving health and education, especially in poor nations, is already the United States' largest grant-making foundation, with current assets of almost $30 billion. Mr. Buffett's huge contribution may permanently solidify that philanthropy's standing as the biggest and most influential organization of its kind. Mr. Buffett will join Mr. and Mrs. Gates as a trustee of their foundation.
The immense size of the assets at the disposal of the Gates Foundation as a result of the partnership is apparent when compared with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or Unesco, which had a budget of $610 million for 2004-05.
Thank you Mr. Buffett for showing you can remain a good and decent human being and still acheive your goals.
I wouldn't quite say that's leadership,i would rather say that's philantropism.
Posted by: Anghel | June 27, 2006 at 06:08 AM
True, that's philanthropy. But we can all be philanthropic--if not with our billions of dollars (haven't been able to get my hands on mine yet), then with our time, talent, connections, knowledge, etc. Putting any of those resources towards a good and worthy cause IS leadership in my book. Literally. In my book.
Posted by: Steve Farber | June 30, 2006 at 07:01 PM