portions of their personal wealth to charitable institutions and causes greater than themselves . On December 8 , 2010 , Buffett , Bill Gates , and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg , signed a promise they called the “ Gates-Buffett Giving Pledge ,” in which they promised to donate to charity at least half of their wealth over time , and invited others among the wealthy to donate 50 % or more of their money to charity .
Buffett was ranked as the world ’ s wealthiest person in 2008 and as the third wealthiest person in 2011 . In 2012 , American magazine , Time , named him one of the most influential people in the world . Buffett is a noted philanthropist , having pledged to give away 99 % of his fortune to philanthropic causes , primarily via the Gates Foundation .
Inspite of his immense wealth , Buffett leads a frugal life . He still lives in the same house in the central Dundee neighbourhood of Omaha , which he bought in 1958 for $ 31,500 and valued today at $ 700,000 ( although he also owns a $ 4 million house in Laguna Beach , California ). In 1989 , he broke from his long-held belief of using more public transportation , when he spent nearly $ 6.7 million of Berkshire ’ s funds on a private jet . Buffett sheepishly named it “ The Indefensible .”
Buffett is opposed to the transfer of great fortunes from one generation to the next . Thus , his children will not inherit a huge portion of his wealth . He stated , “ I want to give my kids just enough , so that they would feel that they could do anything , but not so much that they would feel like doing nothing .”
Buffett and Gates are leading a remarkable mind shift from mere accumulation of wealth to massive sharing of wealth through their own example . This is transformation at its best !
In the political front , Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Aung San SuuKyi of Myanmar , have transformed themselves and their respective countries through their own lives .
Mandela has received more than 250 awards over four decades , including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize . Following his release from prison on February 11 , 1990 , he led his party in the negotiations that led to the establishment of democracy in 1994 . As president of South Africa , he frequently gave priority to reconciliation , while introducing policies aimed at combating poverty and inequality .
SuuKyi received the Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 . Aside from awards given by the governments of India and Venezuela , she was also named an honorary citizen by the government of Canada in 2007 . She is one of only four people ever to receive the honor . On September 19 , 2012 , she was also presented the U . S . Congressional Gold Medal , which , along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom , is the highest honor that could be bestowed on a civilian in the United States .
In the local front , we are fortunate to have had two transformational leaders who have changed the course of Philippine history forever . One was the late President Corazon C . Aquino , who was responsible for inspiring the Filipino people to peacefully topple the Marcos dictatorship . She popularized the “ People Power ” movement that caught the fancy and admiration of the world . The other one is her son , incumbent President Benigno “ Noynoy ” Aquino , who has boldly initiated reforms against graft and corruption , and has instituted new structures in the administration of government agencies , to prevent “ negotiated deals .” He may not be able to eradicate every instance of graft and corruption during his term , but he has certainly delivered a massive and painful blow to the “ scratch my back and I ’ ll scratch yours ” syndrome which has been prevalent for generations in the Philippines ’ corridors of power .
While outstanding business leadersand politicians worldwide create astonishing transformation with a combination of a change of mindset and behavior , humility , empowerment , and coaching , a vital element is often overlooked and ignored .
I hasten to add that if faith and spiritual guidance were to be included in the transformation process , people will have a change of heart , which will touch the core of their being and trigger selfmotivation . �
“ Moreover , I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you ; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh , and give you a heart of flesh .” - Ezek . 36:26
January I PEOPLE MANAGER 21