Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr., values champion.

• Author: Kraemer, Harry
• Position: Interview

As a young man coming up through Baxter management, what were your early impressions of a company board of directors?

I was very fortunate to have a young female colleague help shape my early impressions of a company board. She explained that her Dad had been a senior executive of a large company and board members were often visiting their home when she was a young child. Instead of being nervous I about presenting to board members, she told me, "Harry, there is nothing to be worried about--a board member is important, but ... they are also just someone's Dad or Mom!" I never for got that lesson. It is clearly important to be respectful to all board members, but keep things in perspective! Getting worried, anxious or pressured really is a waste of time and energy.

Life Bucket My Goals Actual Hours Difference Spent/Week Career 50 hours (30%) -- -- Family 28 hours (17%) -- -- Spirituality/Reflection 11 hours (7%) -- -- Health/Sleep 55 hours (32%) -- -- Fun/Recreation/Reading 14 hours (8%) -- -- Social Responsibility/ 10 hours (6%) -- -- Making a Difference Total 168 hours (100%) -- -- Do you remember your first presentation to the board?

Yes, I was a young analyst in the acquisition department and accompanied my boss to a board meeting. I was asked several questions by board members and was struck by their level of experience and their willingness to challenge management, including the CEO. However, I was not nervous given that, as mentioned before, each board member was really "just someone's Dad or Mom."

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In your early career, did you ever think to yourself, "I want to be a board member some day?"

Yes, I recall after one of my first board presentations thinking, "It would really be neat to interact with a group of senior leaders focused on representing shareholders." The ability to interact with senior leaders is both intellectually stimulating and, often, a lot of fun. I have the opportunity today to serve on multiple boards (public, private, for-profit, not-for-profit, domestic and global), and I truly enjoy the variety of experiences

What is your best advice for positioning oneself for a board invitation?

Develop yourself into a broad-based leader. As I discuss in my new book, I believe a person must develop four essential principles to become a values-based leader:

* Self-Reflection: The ability to reflect and identify what you stand for, what your values are, and what matters most.

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