What does it mean in practice to be a
values-based leader? When faced with real situations, how can you be
your best self and create best teams—while also being a best partner
with customers and vendors, a best investment for your stakeholders, and
a best citizen making a difference in the world? It's a tall order, but
these are the expectations for world-class organizations today.
In his bestselling book
From Values to Action,
Harry Kraemer showed how self-reflection, balance, true
self-confidence, and genuine humility are the traits of today's most
effective leaders. In
Becoming the Best, his highly anticipated
follow-up, Kraemer reveals how, in practical terms, anyone can apply
these principles to become a values-based leader and to help create
values-based organizations.
Drawing on his own experiences as the
former CEO and chairman of Baxter International, as well as those of
other notable leaders and organizations, Kraemer lays out a pathway for
understanding the principles and putting them into practice, showing
specifically, how to:
- Use self-reflection to become your "best self" as you lead yourself and others more effectively
- Create a "best team" that understands and appreciates what they're doing, and why
- Forge
"best partnerships" through win/win collaboration with vendors and
customers that enhance the end user's experience Support the mission,
vision, and values of the organization to generate returns that
distinguish a "best investment"
- Make a difference in the world beyond the organization by becoming a "best citizen"
Powerful
case studies from Campbell's Soup, Ernst & Young, Target, Northern
Trust, and many others demonstrate the four principles of values-based
leadership in action and show how thinking beyond the corporation can
trigger positive outcomes for both the company and the world.
Regardless
of level or job title, individuals can make a difference in their
organization and beyond by embodying the essential traits of a great
leader.
Becoming the Best offers a definitive, actionable guide
to show anyone how to apply in practice the principles of values-based
leadership personally and professionally, making it an indispensable
manual for the new wave of better leaders.