Handling a CEO Problem with Empathy

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Hiring ED or CEO · LeadershipTags: · · Leave a comment

In this post, I share the story of how one Board Chair – and board – managed a problematic situation with a new CEO in a sensitive way. Trust Your Gut if Something Seems Wrong with Your CEO As told by a Board Chair somewhere in the US I was Board Chair of a medium-sized nonprofit in a midwestern city. The organization had been around for decades and was very impactful. We had a lot of support from local corporations, foundations, and big donors. Our staff were – and still are — amazing and have built trusting relationships with the… Read more

Take Care of the Great ED You Want to Keep

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Good Board Practices · Hiring ED or CEO · LeadershipTags: · · 1 Comment

My last few posts have been an informal series. I posted about what I believe makes a good Board Chair. I wrote a second post on the relationship between the Board Chair and the CEO. I listed 8 Ways to Be a Great Board Member and I provided a framework for doing an Annual CEO Performance Review. One reader made an excellent comment on my post on performance reviews, noting that it is critical that the CEO and board be aligned on priorities in advance. I think it is a great addition. Another reader shared a story in which her… Read more

For Success, Pay Attention After You Hire the ED

Categories: Board Member Roles · Founder Transitions · Good Board Practices · Hiring ED or CEOTags: · · · · Leave a comment

I received feedback from quite a few readers after posting my last story about selecting a new CEO or ED. One reader said that before selecting a new CEO, it is important to have some foundational aspects in order, specifically: The board is clear about its role and about the difference between governance and service. Board and staff are aligned around a strategic plan. The board has an emergency plan if the ED is not able to continue to serve. The board focuses on professional development and meets frequently with the ED to discuss progress toward the strategic plan as… Read more

Thoughts on Hiring a New CEO or ED

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Founder Transitions · Hiring ED or CEO1 Comment

A friend who is board chair of a local nonprofit called to ask me about hiring a new ED. The long-time, founding ED of his organization had given notice. Nothing was broken, the ED just felt it was time to move on. My friend knew that I had participated in ED searches and wanted to know if I could give him an overview of the process and share my thoughts. He also recognized that hiring a new ED or CEO is one of the most important jobs of a nonprofit board. This is what I shared. 1. Communications I cannot… Read more

Process Matters Even with an Internal Candidate for ED

Categories: Board Member Roles · Hiring ED or CEO · LeadershipTags: · · 1 Comment

I spoke with a new executive director who had been elevated to that role after serving as deputy director. She described how her board created a transparent search process to make sure she was a good fit for the position. She further explained that going through an interview process was also good for her because it helped her articulate her strengths and vision. Develop a Profile to See if an Internal Candidate Is a Good Fit As told by an Executive Director somewhere in the US Transitions matter and people don’t think enough about succession and leadership. For the last… Read more