The Executive Director's Survival Guide: Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader [Hardcover]

Mim Carlson (Author), Margaret Donohoe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787958778 | ISBN-13: 978-0787958770 | Publication Date: March 1, 2002 | Edition: 1

The Executive Director's Survival Guide provides new insight, inspiration, and tools to meet the real life challenges and rewards of leading a nonprofit organization--and to thrive in this big job. Written by Mim Carlson and Margaret Donohoe, experienced nonprofit professionals and consultants on nonprofit leadership, this vital resource will give you the help you need to develop and strengthen personal, interpersonal and organizational effectiveness. It is filled with practical advice for succeeding in the position and offers a reader-friendly question and answer format.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is apparent from reading the guide that they (Carlson and Donohoe) have garnered a great deal of wisdom during their careers." (Philanthropy News Digest, 7/7/2004)

Review

"How would I describe this book? Practical. Helpful. Encouraging. Realistic. Thought-provoking. Accessible. Focused. Honest. Refreshing. Should be on every nonprofit leader's desk."
— Barry Z. Posner, Dean and Professor of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University and coauthor of The Leadership Challenge

"This guide is an easy read for busy nonprofit leaders and it is full of everyday wisdom and practical insight for both new and seasoned Executive Directors. The content reflects the real world and acknowledges the complexity of the Executive Director's role in a very user-friendly way that reassures you that you are not alone in dealing with the challenges inherent in the Executive Director role."
— Molly Polidoroff, Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Nonprofits

"In this new age of nonprofit management, Executive Directors are getting over their fantasies and past their fears, crafting change-the-world ideas and executing them every day. Mim and Margaret now provide real life, real time help in coaching and guiding Executive Directors from survival to success. I can't think of a more important contribution in today's drive to strengthen the sector."
— Roni Posner, Executive Director, The Alliance For Nonprofit Management

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787958778
• ISBN-13: 978-0787958770
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for the new Executive Director..., September 30, 2005

By 

Riley Noonan (Richmond, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Executive Director's Survival Guide: Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader (Hardcover)

Being new to the Non-Profit arena, I was looking for an insider's guide. I found it in this book. It has specific examples and suggestions that pertain to daily life as an ED. I know that it will always be with me as a reference guide for what and what not to do..

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth your limited time as a nonprofit professional, June 26, 2010

By 

Thomas Weinandy (CLEVELAND, OH, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Executive Director's Guide to Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader, 2nd Edition (The Jossey-Bass Nonprofit Guidebook Series) (Paperback)

The Executive Director's Guide to Thrive as a Nonprofit Leader is an excellent book that serves as an extensive review over all of the major responsibilites of that an Executive Director (ED) will face in her/his career. It is a very practical read for anyone like myself who is just beginning to enter the nonprofit sector. Although the introduction claims it can be for any part of a nonprofit, it is written to an audience that is either curently or seeking this position. For anyone who is concerned with limited time, this book is a valuable resource for self-improvement as well as a resource to keep at hand.

The book was introducted to me as the primary reading for a graduate course on nonprofit management, but it was very easy to read as well as informative. I am recommending it to several of my friends who seek an ED position to better help them grow in their careers as nonprofit professionals.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific support system!, February 23, 2010

By 

lalalaa_dolce_vita "YES!" (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Executive Director's Survival Guide: Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader (Hardcover)

I received this book as a gift when I was an Executive Director of a small nonprofit. It was very helpful to me, learning the ropes of what to do as an ED.

I recently gave it as a gift to my ED at the nonprofit where I currently work. I hope he finds it as useful as I did.