Having written about how to become a values-based leader in my first book, From Values to Action, and how to build a values-based organization in my second book, Becoming the Best, I thought I had addressed most of the major topics discussed in my leadership classes at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. However, my Kellogg students and people who have heard me speak about leadership around the world made it clear that one important pillar was missing from my writing: how does one live a values-based life? So began the journey to Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life.

An amazing number of people have influenced my journey to living a values-based life.

My late parents, Harry and Patricia Kraemer, provided me with a solid foundation and understanding of what it means to live a values-based life, which they passed down from my grandparents, Harry and Elizabeth Kraemer and Farrell and Emily Grehan.

Meeting Julie Jansen at Lawrence University 44 years ago was a defining moment in my life and also affirmed my faith and spiritual direction to live a values-based life. Our 40-year marriage and our five children—Suzie, Andrew, Shannon, Diane, and Daniel—are a constant reminder of the crucial importance of family.

My four siblings—Steve, Paul, Marilyn, and Tom—always remind me that we should not focus on work-life balance but life balance.

I am deeply indebted to my students in the full-time, part-time, and executive MBA programs at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. They are a continual source of reflection and challenge for what it means to pursue a values-based life.

I would also like to thank the following people for sharing their wisdom and personal experiences regarding pursuing a values-based life: Khalid Ali, global marketing director, Dow Chemical; Rob Apatoff, executive director, Kellogg School of Management; Anna Budnik, managing director, Willis Towers Watson; Carter Cast, clinical professor, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management; J. P. Gallagher, president and CEO, NorthShore University HealthSystem; Fred Harburg, founding partner, AJIL Analytics; Karen May, retired EVP, Mondelez; Dr. Daven Morrison, founding partner, AJIL Analytics; Kevin Murnane, clinical professor, Kellogg School of Management; Jeffrey Solomon, chairman and CEO, Cowen Inc.; Kent Thiry, chairman, DaVita; and Mike Zafirovski, CEO, Zaf Group.

I would like to thank the great work of my publisher, Wiley, especially Jeanenne Ray, Georgette Beatty, and Susan Geraghty, and Andrew Furgal of ImagePros Inc. for the graphics.

Also, a big thank-you to my colleagues, students, and friends who took the time and gave me excellent suggestions and feedback on early drafts of the book, including Khalid Ali, Dan Braga, Jamie McLaughlin, and Ben Zastawny.

Finally, and most important, a very special thanks to Tricia Crisafulli, who has been my trusted collaborator and colleague on all three of my books. For this book, I was also fortunate to work with her son, Patrick Commins, as a key contributor. Without them, this book would not have been possible. Thank you, Tricia and Pat!