The 100-Mile Walk

Overview

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.

About the Author

Sander A. Flaum (New York, NY), an expert in healthcare marketing, was named Man of the Year for the industry in 2002. Now CEO of Flaum Partners, he is former chairman of the advertising agency network Euro RSCG Life and founder of the Leadership Forum at Fordham Graduate School of Business. He has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, and other TV networks. Jonathon A. Flaum (Asheville, NC) is a speechwriter and coach for leaders and founder/CEO of WriteMind Communications.

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Review Quotes

"As business adapts its paradigm to accomodate a changing workforce, books like this will help managers find their way."

-BizEd magazine

"I recommend this book to those who have more than a passing curiosity about leadership.

-Asheville Citizen Times

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Publishers Weekly Review

From Publishers Weekly

It might take more than walking 100 miles to discover the essence of leadership, but that's how far Sander A. Flaum, a 65-year-old "corporate lifer," and his son, Jonathon, a 35-year-old philosopher/playwright/businessman walked while discovering "the 9 P's of leadership" (people, purpose, passion, performance, persistence, perspective, paranoia, principles and practice) and, along the way, each other. The book's claim to novelty is the difference between Sander's and Jon's respective generations' approaches to business: Jon quotes Zen koans like "There are no rational answers to certain questions. Certain questions demand 'body and mind' answers-that is, the student does not 'know' the answer, but rather becomes it," While Sander quotes Benjamin Franklin or Calvin Coolidge. ("Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.") In the end, old and new converge in a mutual recognition of universal truth. It's the kind of lukewarm emotion that flourishes in books, but quickly dissipates in the chill of actual business life. This syrupy blend of father and son self-discovery and management maxims offers vague leadership principles and inspiring business stories, but the reader may come away thinking the authors confused a good idea for a family reunion with a good idea for a business book.

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Cover Copy

"The 100-Mile Walk goes beyond the same old how-to rhetoric of the moment in business leadership and gets to the perennial core of the matter—how to learn to cultivate and practice values on and off the job." —Christine Poon, Vice Chairman, Johnson & Johnson

"When the mission is compelling enough, we have no choice but to take a leadership role. The 100-Mile Walk is encouragement on the road to discovering the leader inside you." —Leeza Gibbons, former host of Entertainment Tonight and The Leeza Show; Founder and Chairman of The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation

"Insightful glimpses from older and younger leaders on how to face challenges and the principles they employ to accomplish their goals and make a difference at work. The 100-Mile Walk proves an invaluable journey." —Karen Holbrook, President, The Ohio State University

"On its best day, business is about human beings engaging to create something larger than advancement of only their personal interests. The 100-Mile Walk is about business on its best day! I'd hold it close." —Dean Ernest Scalberg, Fisher School of Business at The Monterey Institute

"If you are interested in the future of leadership, The 100-Mile Walk is a book you must read." —Faith Popcorn, trend expert and author of The Popcorn Report

Sander A. Flaum, an expert in healthcare marketing, was named Man of the Year for the industry in 2002. Now CEO of Flaum Partners, he is former chairman of the advertising agency network Euro RSCG Life and founder of the Leadership Forum at Fordham Graduate School of Business. He has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, and other TV networks. Sander Flaum lives in New York City. Jonathon A. Flaum is a speechwriter and coach for leaders and founder/CEO of WriteMind Communications, a consulting firm specializing in public communication and organizational creativity. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Mechele Flaum is the founder of Marketing Fire, a creative marketing consultancy. She was previously president of Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve. She lives in New York City.

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Jacket Copy

Each leader has his or her own beliefs, perspectives, experiences, and style. Perhaps nowhere are the differences more pronounced than between leaders of different generations. As they try to work together toward common goals, their divergent approaches often carry them miles away from one another and from desired outcomes.

But there is more common ground than most leaders realize. Finding it may involve a bit of a journey—in Sander and Jonathon Flaum's case, it was a literal one. In search of the universal qualities of leadership, the father and son found themselves having their most enlightening discussions not in an office or boardroom, but while walking together. Over mountains and along beaches, up and down city streets and country roads they went, for six months, until they had covered 100 miles—and perhaps learned as much about each other and their relationship as they did about the essence of leadership.

So, what sort of definition of leadership do you get when you meld the perspectives of a 65-year-old traditional CEO with those of his son, a 36-year-old entrepreneur who is a student of Zen? The 100-Mile Walk recounts the authors' trek and sets out their newfound knowledge in the form of nine points on which every leader (and aspiring leader) must focus:

People. Have the self-esteem to hire people as smart or smarter than you are, and who will not only respond to your pushing, but will also push back.

Purpose. Clearly define your vision for your people, and shape all decisions around that objective.

Passion. Do the job like it's never been done before.

Performance. In a culture of incessant "multitasking," remember the importance of focus and flawless execution—one A+ outcome at a time.

Persistence. Success means "no" is only for today; fight for a "yes" tomorrow. It takes total conviction that It Can Be Done.

Perspective. Check out the internal environment daily. When someone needs a pat on the back, give it. The payback is immeasurable.

Paranoia. Assume your competitors are gunning for you, the elder Flaum advises. Do whatever is necessary to keep your competitive edge. Conversely, says the son, you can escape the grip of paranoia by accepting competition as a natural outcome of capitalism, to be approached creatively, not combatively.

Principles. "The real work of leadership," credibility and ethics must be drivers of your everyday actions. If they are only vague statements unrelated to your "real work," you are not a real leader. Do the right thing all the time, not just when it's convenient, and people will flock to you.

Practice. Real leaders continuously work at their craft, and they love to practice just as artists, athletes, and musicians do. Practice the nine Ps daily, and live your principles, until what you do is what you are!

The challenge of leadership is timeless. As it turns out, so are its several solutions. As the realm of the contemporary leader grows ever wider and more complex, the nine points identified in The 100-Mile Walk will continue to resonate with leaders of every type and generation.

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The 100-Mile Walk

Overview

About the Author

Review Quotes

Publishers Weekly Review

Cover Copy

Jacket Copy

Table of Contents

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