From Values to Action: The Four Principles of ValuesBased Leadership,New

Respected former CEO, professor, and speaker examines what it takes to become a valuesbased leaderIn this highlyanticipated book, Harry Kraemer argues that today's business environment demands valuesbased leaders who, in 'doing the right thing,' deliver outstanding and lasting results. The journey to becoming a valuesbased leader starts with selfreflection. He asks, 'If you are not selfreflective, how can you know yourself? If you do not know yourself, how can you lead yourself? If you cannot lead yourself, how can you lead others?' Kraemer identifies selfreflection as the first of four principles that guide leaders to make choices that honor their values and candidly recounts how these principles helped him navigate some of the toughest challenges he faced in his career. Offers a framework for adopting the principles of valuesbased leadership?selfreflection, balance, true selfconfidence, and genuine humility?to lead organizations effectively Based on Kraemer's popular Kellogg MBA course on valuesbased leadership A recognized expert in valuesbased leadership, Kraemer is a sought after speaker on the subjectLively and engaging, Kraemer's book comes at a critical time when true leadership in every facet of society is desperately needed.Q&A with Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr.Why did you write this book?Valuesbased leadership has been the foundation of my leadership throughout my career. These values are rooted in the way I was raised and the lessons my parents taught me. Over the years, I have also mentored others in valuesbased leadership in order to increase their satisfaction and effectiveness, and to help them build a valuesbased team. Now, as a professor of management and strategy at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, I teach valuesbased leadership. My students have encouraged me to write a book, as did many others. For me spreading the word about valuesbased leadershipwhich is needed more than ever at this timeis a passion and a mission. With a perceived leadership deficit in many facets of society from business to government, valuesbased leadership can be a powerful solution to address the need for leadership that inspires, informs, and invites followership.What makes someone a valuesbased leader?Leaders influence others. Valuesbased leaders take it to the next level, using their words, actions, and example to inspire and motivate others to pursue what matters most. For the valuesbased leader, what matters most is the greater goodthe positive change that can be effected in any organization or activity whether on a local basis or a global level. Valuesbased leaders take the time to discover and reflect on what is most important to them, and they use their values as the basis of their decisions and actions.At what level can someone become a valuesbased leader?Valuesbased leadership is possible for anyone to achievefrom the college graduate starting a first job to a senior executive. Every organizationforprofit, notforprofit, governmentneeds valuesbased leaders. All it takes is a desire to do the right thing by making choices and decisions that are aligned with your values. I embraced valuesbased leadership a long time ago when I was a junior member of a team that was working in cubicles. I never knew when or if I would be promoted out of those cubicles. No matter what, I told myself, I was committed to making a difference with my life in whatever way I could. As my career progressed, eventually becoming chairman and CEO of a $10 billion global healthcare company, I continued to follow valuesbased leadership, treating others with respect and never putting my own needs and desires ahead of the goals of my team or the organization.What are the principles of valuesbased leadership?The four principles are: (1) selfreflection, which increases selfawareness; (2) balance, which encourages you to seek multiple perspectives to gain a global perspective; (3) true