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The Character of Leadership: Political Realism and Public Virtue in Nonprofit Organizations
Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, beas shrewd as snakes, and as innocent as doves. --
. . . remarkable example of practical humanities scholarship. . ..Those who lead all sorts of nonprofit organizations can benefitfrom this bracing encounter with political realism.
--James Wind, president, Alban Institute and author of Places toWorship
Leaders of nonprofit enterprises are often motivated by acompleting vision of how the world should be. Too often, however,this prevents them from understanding and skillfully operating inthe realm of pragmatic realism. For nonprofit leaders who want tosucceed in their efforts to change the world without selling theirsouls, Jinkins and Jinkins offer a guide to pragmatic andprincipled politics.
This book includes case studies of the political successes andfailures of talented, good-hearted leaders in a variety of rolesincluding seminary presidents, pastors, and leaders of socialservice agencies. The authors show us that realistic leaders knowthat in the rough and tumble of the real world, we must strive tocreate a place where our values can be translated into policy andcommon life--learning how to do this is the task that confronts us.
. . . remarkable example of practical humanities scholarship. . ..Those who lead all sorts of nonprofit organizations can benefitfrom this bracing encounter with political realism.
--James Wind, president, Alban Institute and author of Places toWorship
Leaders of nonprofit enterprises are often motivated by acompleting vision of how the world should be. Too often, however,this prevents them from understanding and skillfully operating inthe realm of pragmatic realism. For nonprofit leaders who want tosucceed in their efforts to change the world without selling theirsouls, Jinkins and Jinkins offer a guide to pragmatic andprincipled politics.
This book includes case studies of the political successes andfailures of talented, good-hearted leaders in a variety of rolesincluding seminary presidents, pastors, and leaders of socialservice agencies. The authors show us that realistic leaders knowthat in the rough and tumble of the real world, we must strive tocreate a place where our values can be translated into policy andcommon life--learning how to do this is the task that confronts us.
- GenresLeadershipNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 1998
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 26, 2011
Machiavelli has been unfairly portrayed for centuries--kind of a Renaissance Dick Morris (minus the propensity for prostitutes and toe-sucking). But the authors recognize the truth of Machiavelli's advice in the proper historical context and apply what he has to say to leadership in the modern world, especially as it relates to nonprofits. The section on determining whether your organization is a republic or a principality is worth the price of the book by itself. The authors' examples of skillful political maneuvering on behalf of worthwhile causes--not to mention bungling by well-meaning, but hopeless executives--are also enlightening.
Essentially, this book gives you some wonderfully useful strategies and ideas for making progress toward your organization's mission. You may have to learn to settle for incremental progress, for not always accomplishing everything you'd like to as soon as you'd like, but you can make a difference without compromising your values. The lessons in this book are practical for leaders of nonprofit and for-profit organizations. A little slow in parts, but well worth it overall.
Essentially, this book gives you some wonderfully useful strategies and ideas for making progress toward your organization's mission. You may have to learn to settle for incremental progress, for not always accomplishing everything you'd like to as soon as you'd like, but you can make a difference without compromising your values. The lessons in this book are practical for leaders of nonprofit and for-profit organizations. A little slow in parts, but well worth it overall.
March 1, 2011
This book is a good resource for pastors who need to deal with the reality of leadership. The authors focus on Machiavelli (of all people!) as a guide for how to exercise responsible, virtue-driven leadership in the often-political world of non-profits. They provide plenty of case-studies (sometimes at the expense of abstract ideas) to illustrate their points. Well worth the read!
January 3, 2013
This is one of the best books on leadership I've read. Anyone that has ideals needs to read this to give them to tools to effectively bring your ideals to life without alienating others.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews