Jinkins, Michael : Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Michael Jinkins is associate professor of pastoral theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. An
ordained Presbyterian minister, he served for thirteen years as a pastor in the United States and Britain.
Jinkins, Deborah Bradshaw : Not Your Ordinary School
Deborah Bradshaw Jinkins has served more than twenty years in public education as teacher, principal, grant
writer, and accountability and compliance monitor of school district effectiveness. Currently she is founding principal
for NYOS (Not Your Ordinary School), a charter school in Austin, Texas.
Review
"Every leader will find this book a richly rewarding read. It legitimizes power and challenges leaders
to embrace it and use it in their service to society."
--Paul Hersey, president, Center for Leadership Studies and author of The Situational Leader
"A fresh and systematic look at the writings of Machiavelli enables the reader to see beyond the opportunism
that is so often associated with Machiavelli's name to a realistic and principled set of strategies for achieving
public virtue."
--David A. Erlandson, professor of educational administration, Texas A&M University
"The Jinkinses have cut through much of the wishful thinking that floods our leadership discussions these
days. In this remarkable example of practical humanities scholarship, they have dusted off a great political thinker
and put him to work to illumine our realities. Those who lead all sorts of nonprofit organizations can benefit
from this bracing encounter with political realism."
--James Wind, president, The Alban Institute and author of Places of Worship
Submitted by Publisher, March, 2001
Summary
"We are beholden to Machivel, and writers of that kind, who openly and unmasked declare what [people do
in fact, and not what they ought to do; for it is impossible to join the wisdom of the serpent and the innocence
of the dove, without a previous knowledge of the nature of evil; as without this, virtue lies exposed and unguarded."--Sir
Francis Bacon, The Advancement of Learning (1605)
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.
Drawing from the experiences of leaders in a variety of nonprofit organizations, this book gives readers a viable
approach to rethinking the practice of leadership. This book helps them examine their current practice and the
organizations they serve, reflect on their character as leaders, and gain political skills for value-rich leadership.
While most nonprofit leaders have a clear sense of their ultimate goals, they tend to be idealistic about their
endeavors, viewing politics skeptically--even disdainfully. Much of what they learn in professional schools and
their own highest ideals may actually work against their effective leadership. This much-needed guide offers a
practical, principled approach to the politics of leadership.
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.
The Jinkinses show how Machiavelli's methods can work in contemporary leadership situations--ethically. They reflect
on the distinct political skills essential to achieving the organization's goals, including making political connections,
building leadership teams, and dealing with sabotage and opposition. For nonprofit leaders who believe that they
must inevitably choose between their values or political reality, this book provides a compelling alternative.
A Compelling Guide to Successful Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations
For nonprofit leaders who want to succeed in their efforts to change the world without selling their souls, this
compelling guide offers a fresh, pragmatic approach to principled politics. The authors guide readers toward recognizing
and working with political realities and help shape a value-rich but more politically astute mode of leadership.
They offer a rich array of case studies, from school principals and university presidents to pastors and social
service administrators, revealing how contemporary leaders can effectively translate their values into both policy
and practice.
Table of Contents
The Machiavelli Principle
Part One: Learning from Experience
1. We're Not Past the Past
2. Exercising a Hermeneutic of Suspicion: Or, Whose History Do We Pay Attention To?
3. The Perils of an Unarmed Prophet
4. The Trouble with Mercenaries
5. Foreseeing the Unforeseeable
Part Two: Making Change Imaginable Where You Are
6. Developing the Sense of Smell
7. Are You in a Principality or a Republic?
8. Understanding the Ecology of Leadership and Power
9. Authenticity and Duplicity
Part Three: Nurturing Character for Realistic Leadership
10. Virtue Redefined: Becoming a Leader of Consequence
11. Integrity
12. Courage
13. Flexibility
14. Talent
15. Prudence
Part Four: Developing Political Skills
16. What Competence Looks Like
17. Making Political Connections Without Toadying
18. Builing Leadership Teams
19. Planning Strategy with the Whole System in Mind
20. Attracting Money Through Accountability and Good Will
