SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Tough at the top

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Tough at the top: "Tough at the top

Being the chief executive of a voluntary organisation is no walk in the park, says Debra Tyler

Monday May 22, 2006

There is a saying that some people achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them. The latter is often true for voluntary sector chief executives, many of who end up in a senior leadership position entirely by accident.

Yet, despite this, most of them take on the enormous burden of their role cheerfully, passionately and willingly. This is because they care deeply about the work of their organisations and the massive difference they make, not just to people's lives, but to society as a whole. In the course of researching my book, It's Tough At The Top, and during my mentoring and training activities, I have spoken with hundreds of chief executives. Many of them have been profoundly positive about their roles and the demands of the job. But nonetheless the challenges they face are considerable."