The Corporate Storyteller

While it's discouraging to note that the average CEO's pay is 300 times that of the average worker--a far higher multiple than in decades past--it's encouraging, particularly during this season of giving, to learn that more billionaires are agreeing to give away most of their fortunes.

As reported in Thursday's Wall Street Journal, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and AOL's Steve Case are among those who have recently signed onto to the Giving Pledge initiated by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. The objective is to encourage those with extraordinary wealth to engage in philanthropy earlier in their careers than their predecessors traditionally have done.

As Steve Case's wife, Joan, explained, "The folks that helped bring AOL to life were out to change the world. It seems a natural thing that as they look at the role they want to play, they are giving back in big ways."

I'd love to see inspiring stories like this one more often! How about you?