Leadership - A discussion of traits, characteristics, and current news of leaders.

Former President Clinton was at his best this week as he hosted the Clinton Global Initiative. The conference, which ran from September 20-22 gathered an impressive list of world and business leaders as well as some Hollywood celebrities (never missing a chance to be on stage next to Bill). As it concluded today, the former president announced a total of $7.3 billion in pledges that will help reduce global warming and fight Third World poverty, disease and ethnic strife.

“The Clinton Global Initiative is designed to inspire action. Every participant must pledge to take a specific action in one of our focus areas. These commitments have ranged from $100 million to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa, to a donation of 20,000 bicycles in disaster-torn Sri Lanka, to 100 hours volunteered in an interfaith youth group.”

In only its second year, the conference was a dazzling success. According to the Washington Post,

“The three-day Clinton Global Initiative, which attracted world leaders, corporate titans and, produced at least 215 commitments of financial support to a range of projects supported by the Clinton Foundation. Last year's gathering produced 300 commitments worth $2.5 billion.”

Sir Richard Branson was a significant reason for the increase in financial commitments as he pledged $3 billion to develop alternative energy sources.

To assist him in his global fight against poverty, disease, war and pollution, Clinton handpicked his invitees, bringing together some of the richest and most influential people on Earth and energizing them to take on some of the world's worst problems. Clinton is impressive in his ability to attract support and garner followers. The list of invitees included nearly 50 heads of state as well as billionaires and a variety of royalty and Hollywood stars.

Attendees gathered in support of Clinton and these important issues included First Lady Laura Bush (in photo with Steve Case AOL founder), former Vice President Al Gore, and billionaire businessmen Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Rupert Murdoch, cyclist Lance Armstrong, CBS News anchor Katie Couric and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Clinton was clear that he was reaching out to solve world problems, something that he felt must rise above partisan politics.

"No matter what your politics are, there ought to be things that we can agree on need to be done," Clinton said. "Shouldn't there be some forum where Americans and citizens of the world can put aside their differences and find common ground?"

Clinton’s charisma, personality and commitment to solve issues draw people to him. In a world divided on so many levels, a non-partisan commitment to improve the human family is needed. The intitiative of one leader has taken a great step toward a solution

Branson Photo Credit: Tina Fineberg -- Associated Press Photo

Leadership is a complex principle and yet its greatest examples are often found in the simplest expression. I often discuss leadership principles and how all of us can adopt practices that enable us to become more effective in leading others. Occasionally, I come across a story where leadership has spilled over the bounds of an organization and is changing the way people every where think. 

Back in the dot com boom of the last century, I built a business that was eventually sold to About.com. My partner in this venture was Tim Stay, who founded the company and asked me to run it. Tim and I recently re-connected and are currently working on a new venture. 

Tim is an interesting guy. He has an MBA and undergraduate degree in civil engineering and somehow picked up a masters degree in International Studies in Third World Economic Development. Imagine a guy walking around with an MBA and a masters degree in International Studies in Third World Economic Development. Talk about eternal conflict. 

Tim happens to be someone who can somehow make the connection between these two diametrically opposed degrees and more importantly has used one to advance the other. You see, with a portion of the proceeds he received in the sale of our dot com business, he got together with like-minded business folks and they created UNITUS. And this is where a great story of leadership unfolds. 

Unitus has a simple plan - alleviate global poverty (and your VC told you your business plan was ambitious!) Like all great leaders, Unitus is looking at the problem through a new lens and is thereby changing the way we not only look at poverty but changing the lives of those debilitated by poverty. Instead of treating symptoms of the poor, Unitus is empowering the human spirit that exists everywhere on this earth, to work, to earn and to live.