EMB
The ‘Doing’ Pledge
This leads me to suggest that we should encourage the world’s
billionaires to undertake a Doing Pledge, rather than make it
someone else’s challenge by supporting the Giving Pledge.
And it’s using an exponential business model rather than a
traditional business model that will achieve this.
“One example of creating disproportionate impact is if you
can make your legacy more collective,” says Srivastava. For
example, you can create a university by yourself. You can give
it your name. That's a very powerful personal legacy to leave.
But something Srivastava has done with a group of 50-60
others is to come together to create a university, the Ashoka
University in India, named after Ashoka the Great, an emperor
who believed in the need for change.
“Think of the network that is now in play in that,” says Srivastava.
“That is certainly not something that I could have done by myself.
So I think the more disproportionate impact you can create, then
to me, the more worthwhile is the legacy that you leave.”
DO MORE
THAN GIVE
Perhaps the core dimensions of altruism relate to whether
you’re a doer or a donor and the impact you’re able to achieve
through your actions.
PLAYERS
PHILANTHROPISTS make many small investments over time,
which can ultimately add up to a tremendous donation.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS create a small entrepreneurial
project that can create a big difference long term.
IMPACT INVESTORS invest in proven businesses and technolo‑
gies to make a dramatic impact.
LEGACY BUILDERS take strategic action to create a high-impact
legacy that is sustainable and enduring.
Although legacy projects are usually large and they are
intended to create what Srivastava calls disproportionate
impact, they can be subtle, too. And their creators can remain
in the background.
Loay Nazer in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is the modest CEO of the
Nazer Group and Chairman of Bupa Arabia, the insurance
group. Bupa Arabia signed an agreement to provide free
health insurance coverage to all children at orphanages in
Saudi Arabia under the supervision of the Ministry of Social
Affairs. That itself is a major commitment and it’s a kind of
legacy—ensuring that the youth of a generation are cared for.
But Nazer is involved in the creation of another legacy,
also, as Vice-President of the Saudia Arabian National
Olympic Committee.
“If we can get more of our young men and women to take up sport,
think what that will do for our country. Not in terms of medals
or our position on the medal table, but in terms of our people’s
health and fitness. That is the long-term goal,” says Nazer.
Another legacy builder focused on the young of Saudi Arabia
is Sahar Al Marzouki, the inspirational founder of Al Faris
International School in Riyadh. Under the auspices of the Saudi
Ministry of Education she has built an international school for
children from kindergarten to the age of 18, sourcing teachers
from all over the world. Now she’s itching to build a university.
She wants to reach more young men and women. She wants
her legacy to achieve scale.
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