Becoming the Best

<p><i>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.</i></p> <p>In his bestselling book <i>From Values to Action</i>, Harry Kraemer showed how self-reflection, balance, true self-confidence, and genuine humility are the traits of today’s most effective leaders. In <i>Becoming the Best</i>, 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.</p> <p>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:</p> <ul> <li>Use self-reflection to become your “best self” as you lead yourself and others more effectively</li> <li>Create a “best team” that understands and appreciates what they’re doing, and why</li> <li>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”</li> <li>Make a difference in the world beyond the organization by becoming a “best citizen”</li> </ul> <p>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.</p> <p>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. <i>Becoming the Best</i> 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.<br /><br /><i>All of Harry’s proceeds from the book sales are donated to the One Acre Fund in Africa.</i></p>