Promote the Dog Sitter: And Other Principles for Leading during Disasters

by Edward L. Conley

Crisis leaders never feel completely prepared. From your first response to your hundredth, you feel the same nerves, the same anticipation, and the same desire to serve with each crisis you encounter. But when disaster strikes, you’re there to make a difference—and you’ll need to rely on more than just your good intentions.
In Promote the Dog Sitter, former FEMA responder and NATO advisor Ed Conley shares ten proven principles for acting decisively and leading dynamically throughout any disaster. Drawing upon extensive experience, Ed has an eye-of-the-storm perspective that shows up-and-coming leaders how to overcome setbacks, develop teams, respond compassionately, and serve with integrity. A book for practitioners by a practitioner, Promote the Dog Sitter is a must-read guide for those who heed the call to make a positive difference in the world’s biggest crises.

Genres: Leadership

272 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2022

About the author

Award-Winning Author of Promote the Dog Sitter

Winner of the 2023 Goodby Business Book Award for Leadership-Team Building.

Second Place, 2023 BookFest Awards for Business Leadership.

Bronze Medal, 2023 Global Book Awards for Business Leadership.

Finalist, 2023 American Writing Awards for Business Management and Leadership.

Ed Conley served nearly three decades with FEMA, passionately leading teams around the globe in response to some of history’s most significant disasters.

He has also managed national incidents and international emergencies with the Coast Guard, Secret Service, Centers for Disease Control, and Department of State.

Appointed as a U.S. Liaison Representative with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Ed traveled throughout Europe on emergency preparedness assignments.

Before joining FEMA, he spent seven winters on the National Ski Patrol. Ed resides in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Michael Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Conley has written a thoughtful, inspiring, and informative book that anyone even remotely interested in being an excellent first responder MUST read. I love the provocative title - waited patiently to see why such an unusual one - and was rewarded with the touching story in chapter 5. Creates a perfect theme for the entire book. Reading Ed’s book is like sitting in your local coffee shop talking with a good friend kind, endearing, good. Ed provides so many superb tips and such sage advice that I found myself reading a chapter every few days to savor and reflect and try to apply to my own life. Ed’s honesty is also so refreshing - simply calling it how he sees it - no mincing words. Ed spent his entire life helping others in terrible circumstances - and now he helps us all one more time with this poignant reflection on his amazing career. A must read!!

[Brian McGuire]

Ed Conley writes a book that is important for two reasons. It is a wonderful treatise on leadership, a quality lacking in so many segments of American life today, and introduces us to the many stealth -like heroes working in n often overlooked Federal agency, FEMA. From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, he reader will see and feel the impact these cdisasters had on the lives of so many, as well as the drive and perseverance of those who survived them.

[Pam C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book on leadership was a pleasant surprise, as its principles are highly relevant beyond just leading through a crisis. Drawing from the author's firsthand experience working for FEMA, it proved to be an informative read for anyone considering a career in this field. The writing was top-notch, and it left me with a newfound admiration for those who respond to disasters. Definitely recommend.

[Amanda Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read to learn more about crisis management. Lots of takeaways for leadership in any field.

[World Of · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you someone interested in learning how to lead during a disaster or in leadership positions? Then this book is for you. Promote the Dog Sitter stands itself in the crowded field of leadership publications by focussing on an endeavour that is sometimes disregarded: disaster management leadership skills. Author Conley worked in this industry for almost 25 years before retiring from the FEMA in 2016.

The book is "a personal reflection on leadership," according to the author. Anecdotes and reflections from reacting to innumerable disasters, from three-county rural floods to major events like Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, are abundant in this intelligent story. Conley's book intends to serve as a useful manual for prospective newcomers to the field, as well as more seasoned emergency managers, first responders, recovery workers, and others involved in crisis management. This is because natural disasters and climate crises are becoming more frequent and severe, and terrorism and human-caused disasters are becoming more prevalent.

The best part? Ed provides pertinent and applicable examples that support his arguments, drawing on his years of experience with FEMA. The book examines ten principles of leadership, starting with the simple directive to "Show Up" and concluding with—what else?—"Come Home." Key ideas backed by 1-2-3 action plans that assist people in becoming their own greatest emergency managers are positioned in between.

Leadership is important at every level, and every person involved in a disaster operation plays a crucial role. The book on setting priorities for decisions and actions and attempting to rebuild communities following big disasters is a great read for anyone working in emergency response or leadership roles incredibly delightful and wise.

[Violetta Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A handbook for real life. This wonderful book provides a framework for showing up through hard times in a way you can be proud of. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every chapter of this book. Ed Conley is warm and uncommonly authentic throughout as he distills his hard-won wisdom from three decades of working with FEMA. He shares how he continues to focus on the resiliency and strength of people through the most horrific circumstances. Heroes are not born, they are big-hearted people who are prepared to work and willing to learn. This book will leave you more prepared to navigate all of life with more grace & grit.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise! A great read! And highly recommended!