Harry M. Kraemer - From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership

In the post-crisis world, values and culture are paramount to corporate leadership. Kraemer's book provides leaders with the tools to develop their talent and fit inside a social context. His focus on self-reflection, balance, true self-confidence, and genuine humility ring true to me and are practiced inside GE. This is a new world. Values count. Get with it!

Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO, General Electric Company

A true understanding of the principles of values-based leadership is critical for both current and aspiring leaders. Having known Harry as a student, leader, and colleague at Kellogg for more than thirty years, I know he clearly embodies these principles. From Values to Action includes important managerial insights from his experiences as a CEO, an executive partner in private equity, and a board member.

Donald Jacobs, dean emeritus, Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management

In an environment of unprecedented skepticism and low opinions of business and leadership values in general, Harry Kraemer has hit the nail on the head. He effectively integrates leadership values and results with a road map to achieve both. Not surprising, Kraemer's class on values-based leadership has become one of the most popular at the Kellogg School of Management. This book is a must-read for current and aspiring leaders.

Mike Zafirovski, former CEO, Nortel, and former COO, Motorola

A practical guide to leadership based on Kraemer's experiences as a highly respected and effective CEO.

Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president, and CEO, Target Corp

From Values to Action is a genuine reflection of what Harry Kraemer lives on a daily basis. He is a true values-based leader from whom we all can learn a great deal.

Louis Simpson, president and CEO, GEICO

From Values to Action speaks to the heart and soul of leadership. For all of his achievements as a business leader, Kraemer's true focus has remained his devotion to family, friends, and community, proving the point that personal and professional achievement are not mutually exclusiveindeed they are inextricably linked. A quick and captivating read that I will no doubt revisit for years to come.

Kelly J. Grier, managing partner, Chicago office, Ernst & Young LLP

Kraemer's realistic and pragmatic approach, combined with his passion for values-based leadership, offers great insights. From Values to Action is especially valuable for young MBAs beginning their leadership journey. They will find in Harry Kraemer a generous, thoughtful guide.

Dipak Jain, dean, INSEAD

Through the dual lens of CEO and executive partner in private equity, Kraemer offers a compelling case that values-rooted executives are best equipped to thrive personally and deliver exceptional business results.

Robert W. Lane, retired chairman and CEO, Deere & Company

Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr.

Copyright 2011 by Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Jansen Kraemer, Harry M.

From values to action: the four principles of values-based leadership / Harry M. JansenKraemer Jr.

p. cm.

Includes Index.

ISBN 978-0-470-88125-5 (hardback); ISBN 978-1-118-03716-4 (ebk);

ISBN 978-1-118-03717-1 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-03718-8 (ebk)

1. Leadership. 2. Corporate culture. 3. Values. I. Title.

HD57.7.J356 2011

658.4 092-dc22

2011002092

To my parents, Harry and Patricia Kraemerwho taught me the values

To my wife, Julie Jansen Kraemerwho by her example encourages me to live the values

To my children, Suzie, Andrew, Shannon, Diane, and Danielwho inspire me to teach the values

And to Bill Jansen (19572008), my brother-in-law and special friend, whose love of life, people, and adventure I will never forget

Leadership is a journey with many twists and turns, providing many interesting learning opportunities. For me, one of the unexpected developments occurred in 2004 when, at age forty-nine, I left Baxter International, the multibillion-dollar global health care corporation where I had worked for more than twenty years, the last six serving as chairman and CEO. Closing that chapter in my life opened another one that led to a deeper exploration of leadership and, ultimately, this book.

Shortly after leaving Baxter and contemplating what to do next in my life, I was asked by Don Jacobs, the dean emeritus of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and Dipak Jain, then the dean at Kellogg, to consider teaching. The opportunity to positively influence students who would become the next generation of leaders intrigued me, so I said yes. Today I am fortunate to teach more than six hundred students each year in classes in the MBA programs at Kellogg. Since taking on this teaching rolewhich usually requires a Ph.D. I don't haveI've often joked that one day someone will find out that I am not qualified to teach and ask me to leave! But I now realize that the school and the students have found value in my real-world experiences. I also understand what people mean when they say that by teaching, they learn more than the students do. Teaching leadership classes to very bright students has made the concept of leadership much clearer to me.

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