Felix Global
Author, Professor and Former Fortune 500 CEO Harry Kraemer Discusses the Importance of Self-Reflection in Living a Values-Based Life at the Future of Work and Life 2.0 Symposium
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic forced a reimagining of our work lives and home lives. With many employees tasked with working remotely, the experience of bringing work home (literally) challenged many in ways they had not previously encountered. Many more took the opportunity to re-evaluate their lives and re-assess their values, and where misalignment was found, change was necessary.
But is this change really about establishing a work-life balance? As the Kellogg School of Management Professor and author of Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life, Harry Kraemer would argue it’s less about establishing a work-life balance and more about creating an overall life balance.
Self-reflection is key to leading a values-based life and achieving balance.
As one of the esteemed keynote speakers at Felix Global’s upcoming Future of Work and Life 2.0 HR Symposium, Harry will dive deep into how we can achieve life balance through self-reflection. Specifically, Harry will discuss how working faster to keep up with our increasing responsibilities and tasks does not equate with being productive. Instead, Harry believes we need to stop, reflect and ask ourselves some key questions:
- What do I value?
- What truly matters?
- What is my purpose?
- What kind of leader do I want to be and what example do I want to set?
Successful leaders are those who take the time to self-reflect and relate to others.
Why do this? Because, as Harry will discuss, we find life balance as people and as professionals when we turn our gaze inward and gain an understanding of ourselves. Harry notes that leaders in particular are most effective when they understand that, unless they can reflect and know themselves, they cannot ultimately lead themselves. And if they cannot lead themselves, how can they lead and inspire others?
This is why it is so important to take the time to self-reflect. Gaining insights into who we are allows us to level-set our lives and serves to benefit our careers, too. For example, Harry draws on how the pandemic taught us that while we can get much of our work done from home, there is still a need for balance – our job is just one part of our lives, and most do not want to be dedicated to it 24/7.
So, how do we manage this? Harry suggests that when employees are available, leaders should utilize the time to relate to their team members as people in the midst of discussing the details of work. The key here is figuring out ways that keep the work flowing while giving employees the flexibility to be people, to do their jobs while still balancing the other parts of their lives.
Learn how to lead to a balanced, values-based life with an interactive keynote discussion led by Harry Kraemer!
Indeed, as much of the world changes, one thing still remains: ultimately, we are people first, each with our own hopes, dreams and set of values that we live by. So, we must now develop the skills that allow us to live these parts of ourselves in a balanced way as both people and professionals.
Join Harry and other important industry thought leaders at the Future of Work and Life 2.0 HR Symposium as we discuss these techniques, topics and much more!
A message from Harry Kraemer:
View the itinerary and request an invite.
