The character of leadership

the long version

What does political savvy have to do with running a nonprofit organization? According to the authors of this practical and empowering guide, it's essential to success. But can political know-how and altruistic values comfortably coexist in a nonprofit leader? According to Michael and Deborah Bradshaw Jinkins, the most effective leaders are those who combine the expertise of their discipline and their deeply held values with political skills, enabling their expertise and values to flourish in real-world conditions. The Character of Leadership is a compelling tutorial in the use of pragmatic and principled politics that will help individuals become better leaders. As their model, the authors use one of the smartest political observers of all time - Niccolo Machiavelli. While the dictionary uses his name to define cutthroat politics, many contemporary philosophers, including the ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr, have discovered in Machiavelli's view a realistic and effective approach to the leadership of social institutions.