Executive Directors can spend a lot of time complaining about their boards – wanting them to leave them alone. But imagine, if you will, what would happen if you waved a magic wand and suddenly your board disappears?
Now You’re the One in Charge
At first that probably feels amazing! No one micromanaging you or wasting your time. No more lengthy emails that get no response.
No one to get in your way.
Hold on…
A group of people who love your organization’s mission as much as you do, are no longer around?
Then you start to think about all the things the board did like:
- Answer the tough questions during audit time
- All the money they were bringing in as a direct results of their efforts.
- Strategic planning knowledge and experience and expertise on how to implement those strategies
- Big help come gala time… someone needs to work the room besides just you.
- Connections to other people and organizations you barely even realized were so important until you no longer had them.
- What about people to help you manage when the going gets tough (we all need those). Imagine trying to take care of stakeholders alone. Yikes.
Maybe your board does do some good work…
- Welcome back my friend. Now make a point to stop board bashing and work on kindness from you and all the staff, volunteers and anyone else you might have talked to before. Set the example. Be the leader you’re meant to be.
- Remember, you have the power to work at creating a productive, thriving board. Get strategic and work towards that mission.
- Become the type ED that your board gets excited about and will stand behind. Your life will be a whole lot easier.
- Who is your board chair? Having a strong leader on your board will make all the difference.
Strengthening your board is a critical task. It’s not for the fainted hearted and it’s not always easy. But you can build a strong board with strong leadership and positive, contributing members.
Pave the way, and you’ll be glad you did.
