Latching onto the idea that everything old is new again, Uldrich, a former naval officer and author of The Next Big Thing Is Really Small
, puts forth Lewis and Clark as two shining examples of all that is right with leadership and management. Spotlighting the pair's many strong points, from people skills and future-thinking capabilities to optimism and an ability to see the forest as well as the trees, Uldrich (drawing on what has obviously been years of extensive research) points to modern-day companies like Coca-Cola, General Electric and DaimlerChrysler as entities that could all learn something from Lewis and Clark. Whether the "project" is a westward expedition or a hostile corporate takeover, Uldrich makes the case that the past isn't so different from the present—or from the future. The parallels between these men and today's leaders are intriguing and well thought out. For corporate types looking for tips, there is certainly plenty to digest, even if the narrative goes deeper into the history of the westward exploration than is needed for a management primer. The overriding messages are clear: mentor and be mentored; find a way to balance the task at hand with the overall future vision; maintain a confident and optimistic approach from the beginning. (Apr.)
