The Board & Executive Directors Relationship
As a nonprofit coach, I have seen firsthand the stress that can come from what I call the essential partnership. The relationship between Executive Directors and Board Members.
This relationship is complicated, and it can often lead to major obstacles in implementing an organization's mission.
One of the biggest challenges for both Executive Directors and Board Members is navigating this relationship and finding ways to work together effectively.
The importance of a strong relationship between the Executive Director and Board Chair cannot be understated. They are the two most important leaders of the organization, and their partnership is essential to the success of the organization.
Unfortunately, the strain of this relationship has gotten significantly worse over the course of the pandemic. This issue is consistently the biggest pain point for the Executive Directors that I coach.
This relationship can be like a vampire...it sucks the life out of both parties and creates a logjam in getting work done. The pandemic has only made things worse, as both sides are feeling immense pressure.
Oftentimes senior leadership feels a sense of overwhelm on "fixing" this problem.
It can feel like the train has left the station and there is no way to stop it.
Let's face it, no one teaches us how to be an engaged Board Member and very few Executive Director's come into their roles with this experience.
The pandemic has also gotten us off-track from some old traditions that almost every non-profit organization planned in the past.
If you are experiencing this stress, I would strongly recommend resurrecting these three strategies.
Onboarding and training new Board members AND nonprofit Executive Director’s. I suggest bringing on cohorts of new board members. It provides staff with a way to share the same messages with new members and it creates a sense of community for the new members.
Commit to at least a half-day Board Retreat. I offer a program entitled “The Essential Partnership” where I share best practices for both Board and Executive Directors around their roles and responsibilities. You will be surprised at how often lack of clarity on who should be in what lane creates organizational havoc.
And as always, focus on the power of building relationships. This strategy can be part of a Board retreat. More importantly, it needs to be part of every Board meeting. One tip that I always recommend with this strategy is to start each meeting with a mission moment. Go around the room and ask people how they have connected to the organization since the last meeting. Once you start this practice, all leaders show up with a different level of engagement.
These strategies are critical pieces of building a leadership mindset. I encourage you to commit to at least one of these strategies in the next 90 days.
I’m here to support you on your journey…please visit www.thethinkgoodcompany.com for more information or email me at deb@thinkgoodleadership for more information about my services in this area.
Watch this weeks’ video below and of course, you can listen to the podcast HERE.
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