Success in the middle market is often measured by EBITDA, market share and the successful execution of a long-term strategic plan. But for those of us who have spent decades at the helm of an organization, a different metric eventually takes precedence: the capacity to give. Our individual talents lead us down various paths, but the further we travel and the more we achieve, the greater our responsibility to impact the world around us.
Too often, business leaders become content with the status quo. They view their company as a closed loop, focused entirely on internal growth. However, a business does not exist in a vacuum. It is a platform in a position to help employees, charities and the broader community. Profitability should not be viewed as an end in itself; it should be a catalyst for change. When a business makes more, the immediate follow-up thought should be that it now possesses the leverage to make a more significant difference.
In his 2010 letter to The Giving Pledge, George Kaiser articulated this responsibility with striking clarity. He wrote: “I was blessed to be born in an advanced society with caring parents. So, I had the advantage of both genetics (winning the ‘ovarian lottery’) and upbringing. As I looked around at those who did not have these advantages, it became clear to me that I had a moral obligation to direct my resources to help repair that inequity.”
Kaiser, whose lifetime earnings are estimated near $25 billion, is projected to have moved or spent roughly 40 to 50 percent of that total on philanthropic causes. According to data from ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, the George Kaiser Family Foundation held $5.09 billion in assets in 2024.
He further noted in his letter: “No child is responsible for the circumstances of her birth and should not be punished for them in this life. I have therefore developed my charitable focus around the concept of providing the greatest opportunity for self fulfillment for each child, focusing on those who arrive in the least advantaged circumstances.”
He has pledged to devote virtually all his financial resources to these same purposes. While most middle-market leaders will not generate wealth on a multi-billion-dollar scale, the underlying principle remains the same. Even the world’s most successful philanthropists recognize the vastness of the challenges we face. They understand that their contributions can sometimes feel like throwing a pebble into Lake Erie. Yet, they also understand that the ripple from that stone creates a wake. It provides a visible signal to others that even systemic, giant problems can be shaken by a single deed.
It is easy to look at the current state of the world and conclude that a single business cannot make a dent. That mindset ignores the compounding power of character. Helping is a reflection of who you are as a leader, regardless of the relative size of the impact. We have one life to live. For those whose gifts and talents have helped them reach the summit of professional achievement, the final imperative is to share those gifts generously. ●
Fred Koury is an entrepreneur and investor
