Faculty in Focus: Building a legacy through values-based leadership

One of Harry Kraemer’s ’79 MBA earliest memories is of walking through New York’s Central Park at age seven with his maternal grandfather, Farrell Grehan. As they strolled past statues of generals and other military leaders, young Kraemer asked, “Grandpa, why are there always wars?”

His grandfather, who taught world history, gave a response that would become etched in Kraemer’s mind: “People don’t take the time to listen to one another and don’t reflect on how short of a time they’re on this Earth. They’re only after power and wealth — things that are very temporary.” Then Grehan looked down at Kraemer and added, “It was only a blink of an eye ago that I was a child like you.”

Throughout his life, the knowledge that “we’re only here for a short time” has inspired Kraemer to become a values-based leader. He explained, “I think of it this way, leadership is the ability to influence others. Values-based leadership takes it to the next level, encouraging others to reflect on and pursue what matters most to them.” 

Kraemer’s commitment to values-based leadership took root when he started his career as an analyst at Baxter International and grew through subsequent promotions, as he eventually became chief financial officer, then CEO and chairman of the $12 billion health care company. After leaving Baxter, Kraemer answered the call (literally) from the late Don Jacobs, the long-time dean at Kellogg, who strongly encouraged teaching as the next step. For the past 20 years, and with no intention of slowing down, Kraemer has taught values-based leadership in the Full-Time, Part-Time and Executive MBA programs in Chicago, Miami and Hong Kong.

With the encouragement of his students, Kraemer drew on his experiences, class discussions and insights to write his first book ”From Values to Action” which explains the four principles of values-based leadership: self-reflection, a balanced perspective, true self-confidence and genuine humility. These principles are also foundational to his subsequent books: “Becoming the Best,” on building a values-based organization; “Your 168,” on living a values-based life; and his latest “Your-Values Based Legacy.“

No matter how well-intentioned, principles are only platitudes unless put into practice. Kraemer walks the talk by engaging in daily self-reflection, which he calls “the most essential and foundational principle of values-based leadership and leading a values-based life.” He also believes that self-reflection is one of the best ways to stay grounded in today’s politically polarized world. “No matter what chaos or uncertainty swirls around you, when you know your values, your foundation is unshakeable,” he added.

Self-reflection is a required assignment in his values-based leadership classes, with students submitting one-page reflections each week. “The importance of self-reflection accelerates week to week in each class,” Kraemer said. “I find it amazing that, years later, former students tell me they are still doing weekly reflections—and for some of them it’s a daily practice.” 

1,500 presentations and counting 

Soon after Kraemer’s first book came out, he began getting requests for presentations on values-based leadership from Kellogg alumni groups including former students who had become leaders in organizations and from other people he knew. Nearly 14 years later, his tally as of this writing exceeds 1,500 presentations with many more on the schedule.

When speaking to companies, associations and schools around the world, Kraemer engages with leaders at all levels who are eager to learn more about how to improve connections within their teams; especially those that are virtual and may be feeling the lingering effects of isolation brought on by the pandemic. His advice is to become more deliberate in reaching out to people — one-on-one — to hear what’s on their minds. “This isn’t about discussing projects and deadlines,” Kraemer said. “It’s learning what’s going on in their lives — who had a baby, whose son or daughter just got accepted to college, whose parent is seriously ill. That’s what values-based leaders do.”

Not only does Kraemer spread the word about values-based leadership, but he also raises a significant amount of money from his talks by donating all honorariums and speaking fees as well as every dollar he earns from his four books to One Acre Fund, which supplies small family farms in Africa with supplies and training to grow more food and build resilient communities. Co-founder and CEO Andrew Youn’s ’06 MBA non-profit social enterprise has supported more than four million farm families. 

“I can remember telling Dean Jacobs that writing and speaking about values-based leadership was a trifecta: good for people in the audience, good for Kellogg and good for One Acre Fund,” Kraemer recalled. “Dean Jacobs said to me, ‘No, Harry, it’s a ‘four-fecta,’ because it’s good for you, too.” 

The values-based legacy 

Today, Kraemer has come full circle as a values-based leader by living and sharing the advice he received many decades ago from his grandfather. The acknowledgement that “we’re only here for a short time” is a call to action to help change the world — or, at least, one small corner of it. This is the essence of what it means to build a legacy, as Kraemer writes in his latest book.

“Your Values-Based Legacy: Making a Difference at Every Age and Phase of Life” inspires people to look at where and how they can give of themselves, no matter if they are still in college, are just starting their careers, have been promoted into senior leadership or are now retired. The book profiles numerous individuals who are making a difference.

For example, Kellogg alumna Saumya ’17 MBA helped establish Kheyti to develop low-cost greenhouses to help small farmers in India grow crops in extreme heat with less water due to climate change. Cammie Wolf Rice founded the Christopher Wolf Crusade, named for her son who died of an opioid overdose, to combat addiction through education and support. On the community level, the McKenzie River Trust in Oregon encourages volunteerism to help carry out its mission of protecting the land surrounding the 90-mile-long McKenzie River.

“Building a legacy is not something to put on a bucket list. It’s about the conscious choices we make every day, right now,” Kraemer said. “For some people, it may be volunteering in the community. For others, it may be finding ways to support a cause that reflects their values. The focus can be local or global. It’s all part of living and building a values-based legacy.” 

Read next: Faculty in Focus: Accounting for success and growth