We are happy to share what we learn, and we do this as workshop instructors, by developing curriculum for the Maine Association of Nonprofits and individual clients, and by offering advice on our Starboard blog. Take a look. You just might find the guidance you need!
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While one of the board chair’s primary responsibilities is to manage the relationship between the board and the chief executive, it doesn’t mean that this responsibility has to be carried-out alone. In fact, there are tremendous benefits to engaging current and future board leadership in this relationship. • Keep it professional – You may have …
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I have found that leadership succession planning within nonprofits is handled in much the same way that most families approach funeral planning or preparing their wills—in other words, they go to great lengths to avoid it. For board members, there is a fear that raising the subject might suggest to the chief executive that the …
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I have been stunned by the number of chief executives with whom I’ve consulted who have told me that it has been years since the board has made any adjustment to their compensation. In one case, it had been more than 5 years since she had a raise! While I place some level of blame …
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The most successful corporations in the world have long known the value of investing in leadership development. They appreciate that there really is no such thing as a “born leader” and that becoming a successful manager doesn’t happen overnight. Rather than cross their fingers and hope the people they hire will evolve into successful leaders …
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During my years as a chief executive, I always reviewed the evaluations that were written by supervisors prior to those evaluations being presented to the employees. Believing that the evaluation process should identify accomplishments and strengths as well as opportunities for growth and improvement, I was regularly disappointed to see written evaluations that failed to …
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Whenever I am in a workshop setting that includes nonprofit chief executives, I ask, “How many of you are evaluated on an annual basis by your board?” Usually about half the people in the room will raise their hands. Then I’ll ask those that raised their hands, “How many of you have actually been formally …
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