Potential Pitfalls: Role of Outgoing CEO in Hiring Replacement

Categories: Good Board Practices · Hiring ED or CEO · Succession PlanningTags: · · · · · · · · · · 3 Comments

In my last post, I started a series on the most important job for a nonprofit board: hiring an Executive Director or CEO. I shared a story about a rigorous search process that resulted in a great CEO for the organization. Several years later, board members were still happy with their choice and the individual I interviewed outlined what was done well – and some changes that could be made in the future. In this second part of the series, I recount three stories – from one individual – which examine if and how an outgoing CEO should be involved… Read more

Hiring a New CEO or Executive Director

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Good Board Practices · Hiring ED or CEOTags: · · · · · · · · · · · 8 Comments

Hiring a new CEO or Executive Director is one of the most important jobs – if not the most important job — for a board. You are hiring the person who represents the organization, sets its direction, and motivates its staff and stakeholders. As I interviewed board members around the country, the significance – and the difficulty – of making the right decision came up over and over. So, I am going to dedicate several posts to this topic. And I am going start with a story of a successful CEO search – one where several years down the road,… Read more

Big Red Flag: You Don’t Have to Do Anything

Categories: Board Member Roles · Good Board PracticesTags: · · · · · 2 Comments

In my first blog, I wrote about a great trusting relationship between a board chair and ED that allowed a nonprofit to transform itself and have much greater impact. My second post talked about the impact of strained relationships between board leadership and the rest of the board. In this post, I describe an organization that found itself at great risk because no one was paying attention. But by implementing some processes and hiring consultants, the board chair was able to get back on track and start the fun part of being on a board – strategy. How One Board… Read more

Changing Course for More Impact

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO RolesTags: · · · · · 5 Comments

For my inaugural post, I decided to share a positive story. An inspiring young ED had a vision for increased impact. But making it happen required an experienced board chair as co-leader. This story hits on many topics: the role of the board in managing the ED, the role of the board chair vs. the ED, and the need for a generative board to support change. Underlying all was a strong, respectful, and trusting relationship between the board chair and the ED. Read more