Click here to return to Blog Post Intro
Kraemer explained that his students at the Kellogg School of Management told him time and again, “You should write a book!” Finally one of them handed him a transcript of his lectures and suggested that he get started. That was the birth of From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership.
In the book, Kraemer points out that becoming the best kind of leader isn’t about emulating a role model or a historic figure. Rather, your leadership must be rooted in who you are and what matters most to you. When you truly know yourself and what you stand for, it is much easier to know what to do in any situation. It always comes down to doing the right thing and doing the best you can. While that sounds simple, it isn’t easy. Doing the right thing is a lifelong challenge for all of us. Fortunately, there are the following 4 guiding principles that can help:
1. Self-Reflection
Self-Reflection is the ability to reflect and identify what you stand for, what your values are, and what matters most. To be a values-based leader, you must be willing to look within yourself through regular self-reflection and strive for greater self-awareness. After all, if you aren’t self-reflective, how can you truly know yourself? That’s why I’ve pointed out previously that your most powerful leadership tool is a mirror (click here for more on that). Kraemer explains that if you don’t know yourself, how can you lead yourself? If you can’t lead yourself, how can you lead others?
2. Balance
Balance is the ability to see situations from multiple perspectives, including differing viewpoints, to gain a much fuller understanding. Balance means that you consider all sides and opinions with an open mind.
3. True Self-Confidence
True self-confidence is more than simply mastering certain skills. True self-confidence enables you to accept yourself as you are, recognizing your strengths and your weaknesses, and focusing on continuous improvement. With true self-confidence you know that there will always be people who are more gifted, accomplished, successful and so on than you, but you’re OK with who you are.
4. Genuine Humility
Genuine humility is the ability never to forget who you are or where you came from. Genuine humility helps you keep life in perspective, especially as you experience success in your career. In addition, it helps you appreciate the value of each person in the organization and treat everyone respectfully.
The beauty of these four principles is that they can be applied by anyone…from the President of the United States or the CEO of a major corporation to the most junior person in the organization. You can always apply the principles of values-based leadership. It is never too early or too late to become a values-based leader.
In my own journey as a HR leader at NASA, a leader for my family, a leader in my community and coaching my kids’ sports teams, and a leader in my church, I have stayed committed to these principles of values-based leadership…and I appreciate the way that Kraemer characterizes them.
I agree with Kraemer’s assertion that by knowing myself and my values, being committed to balance and having true self-confidence and genuine humility, I can far more easily make decisions, no matter if I’m facing a crisis or an opportunity. My approach is to always do the right thing and the very best that I can…consistent with the values I learned from my grandfather and father: integrity (do what I say); excellence (do my best); and improvement (get better over time).
Today, we see a widespread lack of confidence in leadership all around us—whether in business, in government, in education, or elsewhere. Many leaders need to earn and maintain (or sometimes regain) trust. Values-based leadership may not be a cure-all, but it’s definitely a good place to start.
May you strive to live out the principles of Values-Based Leadership, as you shoot for the stars!