Customer Reviews

The 100-Mile Walk: A Father and Son on a Quest to Find the Essence of Leadership

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I was pleasantly surprised at the different approachs to leadership shown by this father and son. This book reinforces the fact that things are changing in every aspect of our society. The older way of looking at the busines world suddenly seems lifeless and harsh even though the younger approach seems a bit naive. Perhaps, as usual, a blend of the two opposing ideas would be best.

Among the 25-30 business books that I read each year, only one or two stand out with unique insights that warrant "top shelf" billing. The 100-Mile Walk is one of those projects that rises above typical business publications by embedding both intelligent point/counter-point discussions and practical leadership stories from both traditional and new-style leader perspectives. Several of the authors' suggestions have proven useful in my own leadership practice as well as my work in guiding and developing Gen-X leaders. I recommended it highly to anyone seeking to understand the common DNA of leadership that transcends age, culture or personal style. This walk of self-discovery with Sander and Jonathan Flaum is a journey worth taking and sharing with others.

Leadership is not a one-way experience, with a superior directing a subordinate. To be an effective leader, it is essential to understand---and learn from those you seek to lead. It's at least a two-way experience. When good leaders practice their skills, they discover new perspectives from others around them and, with enlightening growth, gain from the interaction. Native Americans are reputed to have captured this concept by counseling that "you cannot judge another until you have walked a mile in his moccasins."

This insight-filled book tells the story of a father and son exploring leadership---from much different perspectives. Father Sander is 65 and, based on the comparison profile at the start of the book, practically a stereotypical icon of a hard-driving Type A CEO. Son Jonathon is 36 and a fine representative of a much different generation and a student of Zen. The two agree to walk 50 miles on the paths of each other's lives, exploring leadership. This design holds great promise, and the authors met the opportunity part-way. Most of the writing comes from the father-it is obviously his book, with commentary by his son. While there is certainly value in Jonathon's contribution, his counterpoints could have been stronger, adding more balance to the presentation.

The authors explore nine leadership concepts people, purpose, passion, performance, persistence, perspective, paranoia, principles, and practice. Walking on the streets of New York, golf courses, or mountain trails, father and son talk about their different views of leadership and life. Mixed in are lessons and insights from corporate leaders who have much to share-attitudes and understandings that stimulate the reader's thinking from both father and son's perspectives.

How did these leaders come into the picture? Sander Flaun is chair of the Leadership Forum at Fordham University. He brings these leaders to serve as lessons and examples for MBA students. Through his book, Flaun extends their value to his readers.

All together, 100-Mile Walk is a thought-provoking journey for the reader. As I read this book, I was struck by another adage: "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." For the millions of Baby Boomers seeking to find themselves and determine what's really important as they move toward their fifties, sixties, and lifestyle choices. You'll find this book to more than just another leadership tome.

They say leadership can not be taught, but I feel by having read 100-Mile Walk, I have learned what qualities a good leader must have and what actions a good leader must take. What I loved most about the book was that it just wasn't from the perspective of the authors but other well-respected leaders and their thoughts on leadership. Another great thing about the book is the authors list 9 P's of leadership and an action checklist for each. As a business student with future aspirations of being a leader in business, I will definitely apply the book's 9 P's in my future career.

Setup:
The authors outline an "old paradigm" in business vs. a "new paradigm" in business. The old paradigm is what was ingrained in me in my early years in business. The new paradigm has a lot of value. I hoped to take the best of both - while also ensuring understanding of both.

My view of the goal of the book can be summarized by a key quote:
"People should walk together; managers should walk with their direct reports, women with men, the 25-year-old technology whiz with the 52-year-old CFO. Walking together, we learn the gifts that the other possesses and, in turn, take to time to rediscover our own gifts."

Key points for consideration and review:
From Prologue: "The leadership practices we will unpack in are meant not to rein you in; rather, they're presented here to help you air out your ideas and become the kind of leader you want to be."

Mindset from Prologue:
* Self-analysis is a welcome trait for a leader to possess
* Cultivating individuality, dissent, innovation, meritocracy, and unconventional thinking
* Leadership asks the "why" questions about work; not just the how and the what

The Flaums discuss their respective viewpoints on how to become an effective leader; recognizing that there is no "one path" yet there are some universal themes. The balance of the older Flaum with the younger provides a balanced approach to consider.

There are specifics throughout that can easily be applied. For instance, the older Flaum is passionate about focusing on your best effort in the most important area(s) of work; versus spreading oneself amongst a to-do list.

On balance, an easy read with practical advice on becoming a leader consistent with one's own inner nature.

I have not completed this book after owning it for more then 6 months. I enjoyed the father-son interaction and contrast that the book provided. Me and my dad enjoy similar kind of back an forth as we both are MBA's who are total opposites in the way we work. For some reason i stopped reading it at some point and now i am not able to go back to it.
Might be best to read it at one go :)

Even though, as the authors state at the beginning, there are 250 books on leadership published every year, there don't seem to be many books on follower-ship, even though followers far outnumber leaders in this world. For followers, this book is quite effective as a wish list of ideal personality traits and management techniques by which they can gauge the effectiveness of their own leaders. Jonathon Flaum's sections are also useful for older employees who need to understand the values and perspectives of their younger supervisors.

I really liked The 100 Mile Walk because it showed everyday leaders and how they grapple with the challenges of leading, plus it gave a voice to younger leaders and their concerns as they move up the ladder. Bought my college age son the book and I intend to give it to my boss who is younger than me.
As a female, I can vouch for the Flaum's saying there are no leadership books written for young people (especially women-they should write a sequel ). The website is very cool too. Living in Oregon, I can really appreciate the hiking it took to get to the book ideas.

Two different generations have their own insights into the component parts of leadership. No matter where you live and work, public or private, profit or non-profit, east or west/north or south, the lessons discussed by Sander and Jonathon have a common application and meaning. The perspective of each of the authors is different, but the result of their journey is surprisingly the same. The enduring qualities that collectively define leadership are succinctly outlined at the beginning of each chapter. The book is a quick reading primer for all to read.

Great book. After reading countless how-to books about leadership, most of them from "really old guys," this was the only one I've read that acknowledges, and even celebrates, the generational differences that leaders must deal with every day to be successful. I thought the 9 Ps of leadership were timeless truths for leaders of any age. And, the best part of the book was that it helped me look at leadership, and myself, in totally a different, unexpected way. I definitely recommend it.