sharing the wealth
When Leonard Abess sold a majority stake in Miami-based City National Bank last fall, he did something very unusual. He took $60 million of that money and gave it out as bonuses to 399 current bank employees and 72 former employees. He did it without calling in a public relations firm or the media. He didn't blog about it. And while he was mentioned in President Obama's inauguration speech and was ABC News Person of the Week, these things were not done at his instigation. In fact, he wasn't even on site when the money was given out. He decided to share the wealth, he said, as a way to reward the people who had helped make the bank successful.
Extracted from an excellent interview of K@W (knowledge@wharton) with Leonard Abess:
K@W : Knowledge@Wharton: In your opinion, what are the three most important attributes of leadership?
Abess: Oh, boy. I can think of many important attributes. But I think that leaders have to lead by example. That's extremely important. I think leaders, as part of that example, have to have a clear moral compass, clear ethics. Leaders don't lie, leaders don't cheat, leaders don't misdirect. I think true leaders leave their egos somewhere where no one can see them. I think you have to have a certain amount of ego to get there, but I think you've got to keep it in check. I think that leaders respect people. They respect communities. To me, leadership really is leading by example -- motivating people, being human, just being real and talking to people. Listening -- leaders listen. Leaders listen well, and they respond well.
Inspiring.
Extracted from an excellent interview of K@W (knowledge@wharton) with Leonard Abess:
K@W : Knowledge@Wharton: In your opinion, what are the three most important attributes of leadership?
Abess: Oh, boy. I can think of many important attributes. But I think that leaders have to lead by example. That's extremely important. I think leaders, as part of that example, have to have a clear moral compass, clear ethics. Leaders don't lie, leaders don't cheat, leaders don't misdirect. I think true leaders leave their egos somewhere where no one can see them. I think you have to have a certain amount of ego to get there, but I think you've got to keep it in check. I think that leaders respect people. They respect communities. To me, leadership really is leading by example -- motivating people, being human, just being real and talking to people. Listening -- leaders listen. Leaders listen well, and they respond well.
Inspiring.
Inspiring? Very. How've you been?
Decided to take your advice and update ze blog (better late than never). Go have a look-see.
Posted by
Namrata |
4:42 PM, May 13, 2009