How We Lead

A passionate argument for Canada's reassertion of its place on the world stage, from a former prime minister and one of Canada's most respected political figures.

In the world that is taking shape, the unique combination of Canada's success at home as a diverse society and its reputation internationally as a sympathetic and respected partner consititute national assets that are at least as valuable as its natural resource wealth. As the world becomes more competitive and complex, and the chances of deadly conflict grow, the example and the initiative of Canada can become more important than they have ever been. That depends on its people: assets have no value if Canadians don't recognize or use them, or worse, if they waste them.

A more effective Canada is not only a benefit to itself, but to its friends and neighbours. And in this compelling examination of what it as a nation has been, what it has become and what it can yet be to the world, Joe Clark takes the reader beyond formal foreign policy and looks at the contributions and leadership offered by Canada's most successful individuals and organizations who are already putting these uniquely Canadian assets to work internationally.FINALIST FOR THE OTTAWA BOOK AWARD (NON-FICTION)

“Joe Clark’s How We Lead is like the honourable man: thoughtful, intelligent…worth the effort. . . . Who would have thought that Joe Clark could turn out to be Canada’s Cassandra?”
—Toronto Star

“Joe Clark brings a wealth of experience to his observations on the Canadian political scene. . . . A thoughtful book, one that will interest anyone who cares about Canada’s place in the world.”
—The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo)

“An outstanding read. From the perspective of today’s viciously divided politics, Mr. Clark’s portrayal of the country’s history is balanced and laudable. His assessment of the state of Canadian politics is a sobering wake-up call. . . . Better than any book I have read in a long time, How We Lead depicts my concerns about the direction in which we Canadians are drifting.”
—Andre Carrel, The Boundary Sentinel

“All Canadians should read this book.”
—Calgary Herald

"An impassioned argument for Canada to reassert its international position as an agent of change, diplomacy and peace."
—Ottawa Life

"Clark's views should command serious respect as he was arguably the most outstanding Canadian foreign minister since the age of Lester Pearson."
—Brian Stewart, CBC News

"An insightful commentary on a pressing topic of national significance."
—Literary Review of CanadaJOE CLARK was elected in 1979 as Canada's sixteenth and youngest prime minister. During the Mulroney government, he served as minister of external affairs from 1984 to 1991 and as president of the Privy Council and minister responsible for constitutional affairs from 1991 to 1993. After several years away from public life he was elected again to the House of Commons in 2000, where he represented Calgary Centre until leaving politics in 2004. He now works as a political and business consultant in Ottawa, where he lives with his wife, Maureen McTeer.