While we stress the importance of leaders being role models at work with their work ethic, integrity, and compassion, we hardly pay attention to their influence outside the workplace. Perhaps we should. Thanks to the media, the symbols of wealth are now universal: expensive cars, clothes, holidays in exotic locations, and palatial homes. The continuing popularity of the bizzare Housewives series indicates our almost morbid interest in the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Who can resist the guilty pleasure of skimming through the Daily Mail's side strip chronicling the decadent lifestyles of celebrities, often relayed by the celebrities themselves through Instagram? Unfortunately, slowly but surely, the relentless media focus on the opulent lifestyles of the rich has skewed our perception -as a society- about what is valuable in life, and what it means to be successful.
In his engaging book "Delivering Happiness", Tony Hsieh of Zappos, talks about walking away from a contract with Microsoft resulting in a loss of 16 million out of a total of 40 million, because passion was more important than money. We may scoff that 24 million is not small change, but even these little examples add up to shift societal perceptions about wealth and the wealthy. There is no doubt that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have strengthened the giving muscle in many of their peers globally, including those who have signed up for the remarkable Giving Pledge ,where billionaires pledge to give away most of their wealth. When rich CEOs talk about not wanting their kids to be trust fund kids, they send implicit signals to others about the priority of values like hard work in success. Arguably, the most credible voice against inequality, in the documentary "Inequality for all," was that of Nick Hanauer, CEO of Pacific Feather Company - because here was a wealthy man speaking out against inequality.
India's visionary and multi- millionaire businessman, Narayan Murthy, is known for his simple lifestyle. When a journalist expressed surprise at Murthy's modest lodgings, Murthy responded by stating his belief that the rich should have modest private spaces, but build luxurious public spaces. Murthy's Infosys offices are a class apart in the amenities they provide. In a developing and populous country like India, where public spaces are often sub-standard, Murthy's credo is inspiring. Compare this to another leading industrialist, Mukesh Ambani, whose house is the tallest, and perhaps -ugliest- structure in Mumbai. Even Ratan Tata, one of India's most venerable leaders, couldn't help questioning the appropriateness of Ambani's 27 storied house - which stands out like a sore thumb amongst the sprawling slums of Mumbai.
A recent article about the super -shy, super-rich of Germany, illustrates the influence that modesty from the rich can have on shaping societal perceptions, and trends towards the loftier values in life. While leaders are free to decide how to spend their hard earned wealth, they should be conscious of their influence - positive and negative - on public perceptions about wealth and success.
In his engaging book "Delivering Happiness", Tony Hsieh of Zappos, talks about walking away from a contract with Microsoft resulting in a loss of 16 million out of a total of 40 million, because passion was more important than money. We may scoff that 24 million is not small change, but even these little examples add up to shift societal perceptions about wealth and the wealthy. There is no doubt that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have strengthened the giving muscle in many of their peers globally, including those who have signed up for the remarkable Giving Pledge ,where billionaires pledge to give away most of their wealth. When rich CEOs talk about not wanting their kids to be trust fund kids, they send implicit signals to others about the priority of values like hard work in success. Arguably, the most credible voice against inequality, in the documentary "Inequality for all," was that of Nick Hanauer, CEO of Pacific Feather Company - because here was a wealthy man speaking out against inequality.
India's visionary and multi- millionaire businessman, Narayan Murthy, is known for his simple lifestyle. When a journalist expressed surprise at Murthy's modest lodgings, Murthy responded by stating his belief that the rich should have modest private spaces, but build luxurious public spaces. Murthy's Infosys offices are a class apart in the amenities they provide. In a developing and populous country like India, where public spaces are often sub-standard, Murthy's credo is inspiring. Compare this to another leading industrialist, Mukesh Ambani, whose house is the tallest, and perhaps -ugliest- structure in Mumbai. Even Ratan Tata, one of India's most venerable leaders, couldn't help questioning the appropriateness of Ambani's 27 storied house - which stands out like a sore thumb amongst the sprawling slums of Mumbai.
A recent article about the super -shy, super-rich of Germany, illustrates the influence that modesty from the rich can have on shaping societal perceptions, and trends towards the loftier values in life. While leaders are free to decide how to spend their hard earned wealth, they should be conscious of their influence - positive and negative - on public perceptions about wealth and success.
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| Infosys' Pune office |
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| Murthy at lunch with wife Sudha |
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