Max De Pree was born in 1924 in Zeeland, Michigan, USA, where his father, D.J. De Pree, ran the renowned furniture company, Herman Miller. D.J. purchased the Michigan Star Furniture Company in 1923, which he had worked at since 1909. Renaming the company Herman Miller in honor of his father-in-law, the name became synonymous with modern furniture by the mid-20th century. In 1962, D.J. stepped down and his sons, Max and Hugh, took over leadership of the company. While Hugh served as president and CEO, Max worked to make Herman Miller a leader in management philosophy and human-centered design.

Prior to his career with Herman Miller, Max had planned to become a doctor and studied at Wheaton College. However, World War II interrupted his plans, and he joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He studied throughout his time in the military and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Hope College in 1948, one year after officially joining the team at Herman Miller.

Max established the concepts of “servant leadership” and “inclusive capitalism,” which became deeply rooted in Herman Miller’s company culture. Known as a highly principled person, he was considered a model of wisdom and warmth, as well as a teacher and mentor. In 1980, he took the reins of the company as CEO, and under his leadership, nearly tripled sales. Fortune magazine frequently cited Herman Miller, Inc. as one of the most admired companies, and it regularly appeared on lists among the best companies to work for.

Max pioneered the idea of the “silver parachute,” a program designed to protect all employees in the event of a hostile takeover, as well as profit sharing and employee stock ownership. From 1975–1986, Herman Miller ranked seventh in the world in terms of total return to investors.

In 1987, Max published his first book, Leadership Is an Art, to critical acclaim. The Washington Post called it, “small and soulful,” and it won the praises of businessman Sam Walton, management philosopher Peter Drucker, and U.S. President Bill Clinton.  Max went on to write and publish four more books: Leadership Jazz (1993), Dear Zoe (1996), Called to Serve (2001), and Leadership Without Power (2003).