BEGIN YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

My hope is that this book will help leaders at all levels who are feeling the strain of anxiety and pressure. Burdened with heavy responsibilities, they burn out, and their performance suffers. At Baxter, I dealt with numerous crises, yet was able to avoid unnecessary worry by following the four principles of values-based leadership. Even if things did not turn out as planned, I had the peace of mind to know that my team and I had done everything we could. Most important, we had done the right thing.

But the four principles of values-based leadership are not solely for CEOs, managers, or leaders who have many people reporting to them. The principles apply to anyone who wants to improve his or her personal leadership. Whether you manage ten thousand people, ten people, or one person, or you are a single contributor influencing a team, you are on a leadership journey. Even if you have no one reporting to you, there are ways you can make a difference and have a positive impact on others. Using your ability to influence others to do what you think needs to be done is what true leadership is all about.

Every so often, I come across someone who stands out as an example of values-based leadership in action. One such person is Andrew Youn, a 2006 Kellogg graduate, who founded a nonprofit organization called One Acre Fund (www.oneacrefund.org), which helps East African farmers “grow their own way out of hunger.” One Acre Fund started with forty farm families. In four years, it has grown to serve nearly thirty thousand farm families, including more than one hundred thousand children. Andrew's vision is to provide a model for self-sustaining, market-based hunger elimination that can be replicated by a wide variety of nongovernmental organizations and private food companies. At a time when Andrew could have been tempted to chase the big paycheck, he committed himself to making a lasting impact in the world. That is why all my proceeds from this book are being donated to One Acre Fund, in support of Andrew and his team as they make a difference through values-based leadership.

Leadership is not about the leader. Leadership is about the growth and positive change that a leader can bring about while working with others. I am honored to be on this leadership journey with you. My hope is that this book will inspire current leaders and the next generation of individuals who will follow them; leaders who are values-based and hold true to these values to make a difference in their lives, their organizations, and the world—leaders who do the right thing.