When an organization appoints the wrong individual as board chair it spells problems that will last for years. Sometimes there are immediate problems and the situation can be remedied. Often though even though “cured” other problems fester for years.
Most board members are well meaning. Often they need to be reminded about the thin line between governing and micro-managing. When confidence by the board in the executive director is low, all sorts of issues can result. The most insidious is the undermining of the staff’s own confidence to get their jobs done and effectively run the organization.
In the case where the executive director has left…someone the board had little confidence in their lack of confidence can spill over onto the staff. Their posturing when meeting with the staff comes across as “you don’t know what you’re doing. We know what’s best for the organization.” Tremendously inefficient micro-managing ensues and the staff doesn’t accomplish much because after all “they don’t know what they’re doing!” Staff is confused, demoralized, and frankly exhausted from the back and forth of being told to do too much by too many different people.
Does your organization have the right person serving as board chair?
Susan C. Hammond consults with CEOs of small to mid-size companies and nonprofit organizations on the formation and facilitation of advisory boards and ways to enhance board governance. She previously served as member of the senior management team of technology start-ups, professional service firms, and nonprofit organizations. Susan is the author of the Advisory Board Kit: A Comprehensive Guide to Establishing an Advisory Board. You can reach Susan by leaving a comment or by using the form on the Contact page.
