Category: Blog
One of My Favorite Quotes
One of the assignments in my Kellogg MBA leadership classes is for the students to write a three-page paper on a leader they admire. I require them to include their chosen leaders’ strengths and weaknesses. I love the wide variety of leaders they choose, including everyone from Gandhi to Churchill to Jesus to their parents or bosses. I particularly enjoy the quotes the students often include in their papers, and I save many of them. Once in awhile my former students send me quotes that they think I would enjoy.
Read More
My Way or the Highway
I had dinner with a new colleague a couple nights ago. The dinner discussion was probably similar to those that many of you have with friends or acquaintances. We shared our backgrounds, family history, hobbies, and then the conversation turned to current events and the political environment in the US. This led to one of my favorite topics: “Why have our personal views and beliefs become so polarized, and what positive steps can we take to improve the relationship we have with one another?”
Read More
Ask Harry #10: Harry, what do you do for fun?
After my Kellogg students and executive program participants read my third book, “Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-based Life,” I am often asked, “Harry, what do you do for fun?” I think the question comes up because I emphasize so much the need to BALANCE all areas of your life (i.e., your career, your family, your religious and spiritual responsibilities, your health, sleep, exercise and trying to make a positive difference while we are on this earth), people start to wonder how I can possibly have any time left for FUN!
Read More
Am I Really Getting Older…?
This may sound crazy, but I honestly don’t feel much different than when I was 25 years old and graduating from Kellogg. I have been very fortune to stay healthy, exercise often, take no medications, and have had no major surgeries or broken bones since birth 😳🙏. However, each of my five children has assured me that I am getting older, and after doing some serious SELF REFLECTION, I am starting to realize they may be right!
Read More
Becoming a Global Leader
One piece of advice I give to my Northwestern Kellogg students (as well as my children but not sure I get their attention 😉) is the importance of reading as broad an array of books as possible on a consistent basis. And to be clear, I am not talking about business books. Yes, if you are in business, it is a good idea to know the business basics. However, if you are interested in becoming a well-rounded global leader, I believe it is critical to have a broad understanding of history, political science, religion, philosophy — in fact all of the liberal arts.
Read More
Humility, Love, and Service Leadership
I had the opportunity this weekend to participate in the Coaches 100 annual meeting in Nashville, TN. There were several amazing speakers and panelists, and as usual, I took a lot of notes. I will highlight some of the talks in future posts, but I wanted to highlight in this post comments from Alan Mulally, the retired CEO of Ford Motor Company and Boeing Commercial Airlines. Alan is an excellent example of what I believe is a true values-based leader, and a special friend.
Read More
Ask Harry #9: Should company leaders focus on being socially responsible or creating shareholder value?
It seems obvious that a company should focus on creating shareholder value. Let’s not forget that is a primary responsibility of both management and the board. HOWEVER, that is not the only priority.
Read More
A “Father’s Day” Wish
One of my daughters asked me what I would like for a Father’s Day present, and rather than thinking of material things, it caused me to become a little “self reflective” (I’m sure that is not a surprise to many of you who know me 😉). After thinking about the question, I realized the best gift I could receive would be everyone helping each other to “Bridge the Divide.” Let me explain.
Read More
Ask Harry #8: Why do the majority of acquisitions fail and how to avoid failure?
One of Kellogg’s first and most popular executive programs is “Merger & Acquisition Week.” It was started by Professor Al Rapport more than 50 years ago. I am fortunate to teach a section of the course that I call “Lessons from the Battlefield.” I remember as a Kellogg student reading that almost 80% of acquisitions did not earn their cost of capital, that is, the acquiring company’s shareholders would have been better off if the acquisition had not taken place. Interesting enough, the success rate has not changed much in the past 50 years. I will summarize the seven major reasons why I believe so many acquisitions fail and what you can do to avoid failure and increase the success rate.
Read More
A little story inspired by values-based leadership
One of my current students sent me a copy of a fun little story she wrote for her children inspired by values-based leadership, and I asked her if I could share it here with you.
Read More
They say good things come in threes
Some weeks don’t even have one great event; last week I was able to experience THREE!!! 😀
Read More
Happy Mother’s Day and the benefits of teaching!
Wishing all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day and celebrating the upcoming graduation of two of my Kellogg classes!
Read More