Leading Like Lewis and Clark: The Power of Pioneering Without a Map

There we were—gathered around the conference table.

We were deep in discussion, tossing around ideas like puzzle pieces, trying to figure out what picture they might form if we dared to put them together.

The goal?

Well, I'll spare you the project details as they would likely bore you. In short, we had to figure out a way to boost collaboration between our teams to serve customers at a higher level.

Simple in theory, murky in execution. Each option we considered came with a set of unknowns. We could see with any option discussed that something would shift—there’d be disruption—but we couldn’t quite pinpoint what, where, or when.

We didn’t have a map for what lay ahead. That’s when our CEO mentioned Lewis and Clark.

Yes, the two guys that set out on an expedition with limited knowledge on what they would find.

Wait, what? We can learn from them in this situation?

The comment about Lewis and Clark really stuck with me. So much so that I actually made a note so that I could “explore” (yes, pun fully intended here) the idea further.

We were talking through potential changes—shifts that would have an impact on process, team structure, even company culture—and it became crystal clear: we couldn't be crystal clear on exactly what was going to happen if we moved forward.

There’d be disruption, sure.

But where? When? What would it look like?

We had no real answers.

Let’s go back for a second—because the story of Lewis and Clark isn’t just a dusty history lesson. It’s a fascinating playbook for leaders willing to step into the unknown.

A Bold Assignment with No Guarantees

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with a daunting mission: explore the uncharted territory west of the Mississippi River—the vast stretch of land recently acquired in the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest.

Jefferson’s hope? That they’d find a water route connecting the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean.

Spoiler alert: They didn’t find it.

So, was it a failure?

Far from it.

What they did discover was a landscape that would shape America’s understanding of its own potential.

They documented over 120 animal species and 178 new plant species. They made contact with approximately 50 Indigenous tribes, gathering knowledge, forging relationships, and learning from people who had navigated those lands for generations. They mapped terrain that had never been charted by Americans, paving the way for westward expansion.

Their expedition didn’t meet its original goal, but it yielded something more valuable: insight, resilience, and a whole new vision of what was possible.

From the Trail to the Conference Table

So what does all that have to do with our office meeting?

We weren’t charting rivers or climbing mountain ranges, but we were standing at the edge of something unknown. A shift in how we work together.

Like Lewis and Clark, we had no clear line from Point A to Point B. No promises that our changes would work perfectly or work at all. And definitely no guarantee of a smooth journey.

But that’s the thing about leadership.

You don’t get a map.

You get a mission.

And then you move forward with curiosity, courage, and a team willing to explore.

Our job isn’t to guarantee success before we take a step.

Our job is to observe, adapt, learn, and lead—even when the route isn’t clear.

The path might be uncertain. In fact, it most likely is uncertain.

There will be detours.

And oftentimes, we won’t find the river we were hoping for.

But if we lean into the journey, we might just discover something else, maybe even something better: stronger collaboration, new ways of working, and opportunities we never imagined.

So, here's the challenge:

Next time you're stuck in decision limbo or frozen by uncertainty, ask yourself:

What would Lewis and Clark do?

They’d pack their gear, gather the right people, and get moving.

And that’s exactly what leaders do.

Did this article spark something for you? We’d love to hear how you’re leading like Lewis and Clark—share your thoughts, stories, or takeaways in the comments below!