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

by Sander A. Flaum, Jonathon A. Flaum, Mechele Flaum

Each generation leads in its own way. But to progress together, they must find ways to bridge the divide between their perspectives. Recognizing that truth, a 65-year-old traditional CEO and his 35-year-old Zen entrepreneur son embark on a six-month-long, 100-mile walk. As they stroll the streets of New York and New Orleans, trek through the Blue Ridge Mountains, and hike along the Long Island coast, they talk about their experiences, their outlook on life and work, the achievements of leaders they have known, and how each views the nature and purpose of leadership. Ultimately, the two men agree on nine key traits and practices essential to all leaders -- from principles and passion to performance and even paranoia -- and on how leaders and aspiring leaders can follow them consistently. Father and son also discover a lot about each other, their relationship, and the way two generations set apart by so many differences can respect and learn from each other.

Genres: Business

272 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2005

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 100-Mile Walk contains a rather unique look at successful business. The authors are father and son with some very different views on these aspects. Sander, the father, thinks of business in a traditional Baby Boomer way. He has become an extremely successful business person by gradually climbing the cooperate ladder, making career his number one priority, and long hours of sacrifice. His son, Jonathan, is also a highly successful business person. However, this generation X-er's views on business on quite different from his father's. Jonathan believes that a healthy balance between a career he loves and a life outside of work allows him full use of his creative abilities that will ultimately lead to his success.

This book illustrates that the definitions of leadership and business success are changing. Once men spend much of their lives isolated from their families so that they could provide a financially comfortable living. Today, many individuals sacrifice that security to spend time with their family and friends. The 100-Mile Walk shows that there is value in both career paths and that individuals following either path can learn from the other.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good leadership book about a father and son who walked 100 miles together -- each leading the other for 50 miles -- while sharing their leadership beliefs and philosophies. The most striking thing about the book is the contrasting views of leadership (old school vs. the “up-and-comers”) and what it means both today and as the next generation of leaders emerge. It differentiates itself by not being a leadership book “by old guys for old guys”.

The primary author the book (the father) teaches leadership at the Fordham Graduate School of Business in NYC and heads up a leadership forum there for the students. One of the aspects I found valuable were the pearls of wisdom that he shares from these leaders, most of which are pretty insightful.

[James Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh approach the thinking about leadership through the interaction of father and son. I love th eway you can get lost in the story while putting insights in your pocket. Fun read.

[Alain Dumonceaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled across this beauty during an MBA class. Truly enjoyed the perspective from a father and son on their takes on leadership. Easy read.