No One Should Be Indispensable

Categories: Board Member Roles · Founder Transitions · Succession PlanningTags: · · · · · · 5 Comments

In my last two posts, I shared stories about a founder who stayed around too long and another founder who made a positive and gracious exit. In this post, I share a story about the founder of an all-volunteer organization who wanted to move on but could not because they were not set up for leadership transition. There are two lessons from this story. The first is to make sure you don’t rely too much on one individual – either as ED or as Board Chair. As a board member, you have responsibility for the well-being of the organization. If… Read more

Check Your Ego and Prioritize the Organization

Categories: Board Member Roles · Board, Board Chair, ED/CEO Roles · Executive Session · Founder Transitions · Good Board Practices · Succession PlanningTags: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1 Comment

I love to share good stories. After my last post (about a founding ED who would not let go), a reader reached out to me to share a very different story. In this post, the founding CEO, the board chair, and the new CEO worked together to make a smooth and successful transition. What worked? Everyone emphasized their commitment to the organization, putting mission before ego. The founder pledged to support the new CEO. The board created a thoughtful, strategic process that prepared them and staff for the transition for the future. The new CEO and the founder developed a… Read more

When Founders Stick Around

Categories: Board Member Roles · Founder Transitions · Good Board Practices · Succession PlanningTags: · · · · · · · · 5 Comments

I shared a story about a board that needed to become more professional in how they chose board officers. From its founding, the organization was very casual about how who stepped into leadership. As a result, they did not always get individuals best suited for each role. And, they discovered that a casual process can create uncomfortable situations. Organizations and boards go through stages as they grow and mature. The way things are done and the roles people have change over time. In this post, I share a story from an individual who was the second Executive Director of an… Read more

Something’s Wrong if You Need Healing Sessions

Categories: Board Member Roles · Good Board PracticesTags: · · · 3 Comments

In this article, I am starting a series that will focus on transitions, especially around founding boards and Executive Directors. In this story, an individual working on capacity building with a nonprofit describes how the emotional attachment board members felt to the organization’s mission prevented them from providing good governance. Making change required lots of listening and changing the board. Emotion and Passion Prevent Strategic Discussions From a board member somewhere in the US. I was a representative of a granting organization that was also working on capacity building. The organization was 15 years old. Its board members had come… Read more