In past years, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland focused primarily on business and politics as usual. Any talk of the World Economic Forum’s soul would have fizzled quickly.

But this year, in its 40th gathering of 2500 international VIPs, something different happened. Sobered by the global economic crisis, business and government leaders focused on values. Furthermore, moral leadership stood front and center at the conference.

Faith and moral leaders, usually relegated to minor roles, were featured in an opening panel, “Re-Thinking Values in the Post-Crisis World.” Jim Wallis and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus joined business and academic leaders on the panel moderated by Deloitte chief Jim Quigley to discuss how the loss of values helped cause the economic meltdown and how those lost values could be restored.

Government leaders continued on the theme of values. In his keynote address, French president Nicolas Sarkozy asked, “How can we return the economy to the service of mankind? How can we act to ensure that the economy no longer appears as an end itself, but as a means to an end?” Sarkozy claimed, “We can only save capitalism by rebuilding it, by restoring its moral dimension. What do we need, in the end, if it is not rules, principles, a governance that reflects shared values, a common morality?”

Subsequent speakers called for a sustainable economy, for an end to speculative greed. Tougher banking regulations were discussed repeatedly. In an important "Soul at Work” and "The Soul of a Leader", works with leaders in healthcare, business, churches, government and non-profits to help them stay true to their souls. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. © Copyright 2010 by Margaret Benefiel.