WHERE CAN YOU MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE?

There may be certain areas about which you feel passionate, but are you in a position to effect change or to influence people in a significant way? Do you have an area of expertise or access to specific resources that lend themselves to the particular area on which you wish to focus? If not, then no matter how strong your interest, you will not be effective.

For example, you may feel very strongly about the environment, but your organization may not have the in-depth knowledge or background to address the problems in this area. Another issue, however, may be a perfect match. For example, at Baxter, we decided that rather than say yes in a small way to everything that came along, we would devote our philanthropic efforts to health care, which remains a major area of focus on a global scale.

It makes far more sense to commit the organization to where there is both passion and the ability to make a difference. At Baxter, we had not only passion for health care and for increasing access for more people but also significant experience dealing with senior health ministry officials in governments around the world. We believed that through our expertise, knowledge, and network, we stood an excellent chance of influencing others.

By no means do I want to tell you what to pursue or to suggest that one cause is more important than another. There is no shortage of significant issues in the world that need to be addressed. But it is far different to write a check to support a local charity than it is to be part of a solution to a fundamental problem on a global scale. If you are going to make a difference through your energy, ideas, and influence, you need to have enough passion and emotion for the topic, and the tools and resources at your disposal to carry you the distance.