The values you uphold are one of the most crucial aspects of leadership. Knowing and promoting those values as a leader helps you influence and govern your team in the right direction. And by adhering to your values, you inspire others to follow and adopt them.

 

In this episode of Fifth Dimensional Leadership, I interview Harry Kraemer, Jr. Harry is an executive partner at Madison Dearborn Partners, a private equity firm based in Chicago. He is also a Clinical Professor of Leadership at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.  In our conversation, Harry talks about leading and positively influencing people through values-based leadership.

 

Harry is the author of three best-selling leadership books: From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership; Becoming The Best: Build a World-Class Organization Through Values-Based Leadership. and Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life.

 

Harry is the former chairman and CEO of Baxter International Inc., a $13 billion global healthcare company. He joined Baxter in 1982 as director of corporate development and was named senior vice president and chief financial officer in 1993. In the following years, he assumed additional responsibility in Baxter's Renal and Medication Delivery businesses, was elected to Baxter's board of directors in 1995, and was named president of Baxter International Inc. in 1997. 

 

Harry graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University of Wisconsin with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics. He received an MBA degree in finance and accounting from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and is a certified public accountant. 

Things you will also learn in this episode:

• Putting things in perspective through math.

• Three things Harry did as CEO at Baxter that drove success.

• Distinguishing between values and preferences
• What it means to be liked vs. being respected.
• Examples of effective communication and setting boundaries.

Quotes:

“It’s when you get to explain things that you realize you understand it.” - Harry Kraemer

 

“Values are non-negotiable, must not be compromised, and should be laid out very clearly.” - Harry Kraemer

 

“As a leader, when you’re leading, the goal is not to be right; the goal is to do the right thing.” - Harry Kraemer

 

“This whole idea of leadership has nothing to do with titles and organizational charts, but it has everything to do with the ability to influence people.” - Harry Kraemer

 

“The more you know about any topic, the more you know how little you know. - Harry Kraemer

 

“You can learn something from every single person you encounter, and when that light goes on and you realize how much you can learn by every encounter, it changes your life.” - Harry Kraemer

 

“Develop a balanced perspective… seek to understand before you are understood.” - Harry Kraemer