"Changing Our World" on Senior Executive Leadership

Publish date:

The following profile is reprinted with permission from a report on best practices prepared by Cori Cunningham at  Changing Our World , a national consulting company whose Philanthropy Division advises corporations and other funders on strategies to create effective giving programs.

Just as all important management policies must have the official approval of the CEO, so must the goals and guidelines for corporate community involvement. Only the commitment of senior management can assure stability for corporate giving, volunteering and community involvement programs, not to mention acceptance at all levels of the business. Successfully generating support/buy-in from senior management both legitimizes and validates the existence of these programs and sends a message to stakeholders that the company sees the importance and value of community involvement. Senior executives have many opportunities and resources to raise awareness of the company's community involvement strategies and show by example that it is important. Some key ways this can be achieved include communications, personal involvement in volunteerism and board service.

Visibility/Communications

Internally, senior executives can make their views known through company newsletters, emails and participation in key meetings. Externally, senior management can speak at panels or seminars on the importance of community involvement, publish articles and post messages on the corporate Web site. They can also join organizations such as the  Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy, whose membership comprises CEOs that are leading and inspiring their organizations and their employees in sustained and strategic corporate philanthropy.

Volunteerism

Senior managers play a crucial role as leaders to help motivate and encourage employees to become aware of company values and participate where possible. The most effective way to generate buy-in and support is to get senior management directly involved. This has the effect of creating an opportunity and a level playing field for employees and management to interact with each other. It boosts morale and pride among employee volunteers to see managers alongside them. According to a 2001 LBG Associates study, 91percent of companies engage senior management to volunteer, especially through company-sponsored events and activities.

Board Service

According to the 2001 LBG Associates study, 81.5 percent of companies encourage senior managers to serve on the board of directors of non-profit organizations. The main reasons for doing so are to:

• Help nonprofits that are in disarray to develop sound business practices and effective programs, thus securing the success and survival of the nonprofit.
• Ensure that corporate contributions made to nonprofits are put to good use.
• Monitor and influence the activities of the organizations that companies have a strategic interest in, whether in terms of community relations, lobbying purposes or consumer affairs.
• Help develop specific leadership skills for employees/managers seeking to advance internally

Changing Our World has highlighted the following companies for their exceptional practices in the area of effective senior executive leadership:

• Boeing
• Deloitte
• United Parcel Service (UPS)
  

Deloitte Best Practice: Senior Executive Leadership

Deloitte, one of the nation's leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, financial advisory services and consulting through nearly 30,000 people in more than 80 U.S. cities. Widely recognized as a leader in groundbreaking human resource programs and community involvement, Deloitte has been established as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" by Fortune magazine for six consecutive years. Deloitte aims to foster a culture that is diverse, open, inclusive and flexible. The firm considers community involvement a business imperative and encourages its people to volunteer their time and talent.

James H. Quigley is Deloitte's U.S. Chief Executive Officer and has led the organization with a strong focus on community involvement, particularly in employee volunteerism. He is a prime example of what can be achieved if corporate citizenship is supported at the top.

Board Service

James H. Quigley is a committed board member of several nonprofit organizations. He has been a member of the following boards:

• Business Council of New York State
• The NYC2012 Olympic Committee
• Professional Housing Resources
• Southwestern Area Commerce and Industry Association of Connecticut
• Junior Achievement of New York City
• Chaired the audit committee and served as treasurer for the National Council for the Better Business Bureau in Washington, D.C.

Quigley is actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America and has been a member of the Task Force on Role and Mission for United Way of the Tri-State. He is a member of the Economic Club of New York, Union League Club and the treasurer of the New Music Circle.

CEO Views

Summarized below are excerpts from an interview that the  Points of Light Foundation conducted with Deloite CEO James H. Quigley.

The Role of Corporate Citizenship at Deloitte

Social responsibility encompasses the responsibility of the company to earn and preserve the public trust. It is imperative that the company contributes to the sustainable improvement of life and business, providing a place to work and services that meet the needs of the public and help clients, employees, and the communities where it operates.

Deloitte actively offers, encourages, supports and rewards volunteerism for several important reasons. First, community involvement is the right thing to do; it is a manifestation of the company's shared beliefs. Second, because a healthy community depends on the active involvement of all who live and work there, it is the company's responsibility to be good corporate citizens. Third, volunteering helps its people become better professionals by enhancing their skills and leadership abilities. 

Influence of Community Involvement on Business Leadership

Quigley asserted that community service has been one of the most valuable things he has done, from the skills and "know-how" developed in serving on nonprofit boards and committees, to the relationships developed and to the personal satisfaction received from just knowing he was helping someone in need. He feels he is fortunate to be involved in important organizations like the United Way and Junior Achievement. Quigley has been influenced in two important ways—first, these organizations rely on volunteers, and so he truly understands how important community service is to the health and well being of our communities. Second, through community service, he believes individuals develop into better leaders. 

Integrating Social Responsibility Values

Quigley maintains that it is imperative a company practice what it preaches, and that the tone is always set from the top. He believes that community involvement must be integrated in all messages and it needs to be encouraged, recognized, and rewarded. Quigley also believes there is room for improvement by continuing to offer a meaningful menu of volunteer opportunities that support the causes in which the Company believes, and responding to the diverse interests of its people, as well as continuing a sustained communications campaign that reinforces that strategic volunteering is important to the firm and its leadership.