A Leader's Kind Heart is Good For Business

As I met Shari Arison, I felt I was reconnecting with a long-term friend. I was struck by her authentic, down-to-earth demeanor—her goodwill is felt when in her presence. 

Not only is she at the helm of many successful businesses, but she is actively involved in making a difference on the planet. Shari holds major stakes in Carnival Cruises and Israel’s Bank Hapoalim, and in 2006 she founded Miya, a global water efficiency company modernizing out-of-date water systems. 

She exudes pride when she speaks of Good Deeds Day, which is now in its seventh year and will be celebrated on March 10, 2013 around the globe. Last year, over 250,000 individuals participated in Israel alone. The concept is really so simple: individuals doing kind acts. Shari brings this mission into her businesses as well–her employees have integrated it into the way they operate.

With all of her responsibilities and the fast pace she maintains daily, I asked Shari what keeps her grounded. The confident leader talked about the importance of reflective time before she starts her day. But when things start-up, it's non-stop. And when it gets too hectic, she takes time to pause and regroup.  

Shari is also a mother of four adult children, a daughter and three sons. Her daughter lives in New York City, and when Hurricane Sandy struck the lower east side of Manhattan, Shari was in Israel and unable to reach her at first. She was concerned until her daughter called to let her know she was okay.

Mother, leader, concerned citizen of the planet–this wonderful woman uses her creativity to change things for the better. 

Go to www.goodnet.org to learn more about Shari’s vision and how you can participate. 

Visit our previous article on Shari, “How Are You Changing the World?”

Read about the Random Acts of Kindness our WomenWorking community has experienced.