Insights from Head of Coaching

Dear Students,
 

The term “self-reflection” can sometimes evoke your sitting in a deep chair, by a window under a stormy sky, computer or pen and journal in hand, while you consider your strengths and developmental needs, life goals and perceived heroes. But the process doesn’t have to be so “lofty” or laden with gravitas (of course).
 

As leadership professor, former global CEO/Chairman of $12B Baxter International, CPA and private equity partner Harry Kraemer describes his practice of self-reflection, though, it comes down to the 15 minutes he spends before going to sleep each night, “[When] I focus on two goals I’ve set for myself for the past forty years: to do the right thing and to do the best I can.” Kraemer, also a Kellogg MBA School Professor, 2008 “Professor of the Year,” best-selling author and father of 5, maintains that his identity as a “values-based leader” is actually what keeps him grounded. While some of you might tend to close out your day by hurriedly making plans for tomorrow or worrying an unresolved conflict earlier in that afternoon, Kraemer admits: “[I simply] think about what went well and what didn’t go well that day; what had I promised to do, and did I keep my word?” 

It can be challenging for anyone, especially an academically and career-driven candidate (like you or your friends), to look “inside” rather than “outside” to assess or validate the day’s actions. With social media in full view at the touch of a button, it takes enormous resolve, patience and determination to drown out smiling pictures, ebullient posts and carefully-edited videos about “expert” advice, and/or peer accomplishments, and instead to self-evaluate according to personally-determined metrics. And yet, as Kraemer points out, “The benefits to this mindset are numerous.” 

In this short, but eloquently-worded article, Kraemer highlights ways that establishing a conceptual “values” perspective on an aspiring professional’s life (which might just means yours!) can help you maintain emotional balance, stay resilient and remain agile, despite the dynamic nature of global business leadership roles. This attitude also helps to foster and nurture relationships, especially those with colleagues who have also established themselves as being collaborative and trustworthy. What’s more, as you might expect, Kraemer highlights the incremental value of strong teams to generating favorable outcomes amidst challenging decisions: “…as a values-based leader, you surround yourself with people whose values and perspectives you know and trust. That’s why you have a team! No one has all the answers. But with a great team, you are far more likely to identify the right thing to do and do the best you can.”  
 

Finally, As Kraemer, who forged a 23-year career at Baxter, a 20-year track record at Madison Dearborn Partners and has been married for 45 years knows, consistency is essential to riding the inevitable “sine waves” of business (and of close personal relationships, as well). These are concepts that sometimes-anxious and “subject-to-the-quickly-changing-advice-on-Instagram-and-Tik-Tok” students (possibly someone you know?) can benefit from learning, practicing repeatedly, and musing on, alongside our sensitive, experienced coaches, when you find yourself (as we all do) having the opportunity to benefit from occasional miscalculations.
 

https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/handling-worry-fear-anxiety-pressure-and-stress?utm_source=alumni&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mailer01-2025

Here’s to enjoying a values-based day (and life)!
 

Best,
 

Amy-Louise