Accountability time- everyone’s favorite! *Enter groans here* Go ahead, I can’t hear you anyway.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
- Do you show up prepared?
- Send out an agenda ahead of time? Meeting minutes before and after?
- As Board Chair, do you know your “script” well enough to speak confidently and communicate effectively?
And the other members...
- Do they come ready to work and collaborate? Having read the agenda and minutes.
- Do they understand their roles and responsibilities?
- What about team dynamics... How is rapport?
If you answered positively to all of the above questions but still feel like your board meetings are lacking, either you weren't being honest with yourself OR some of the below could be muddying things up.
1. Who is running this thing?
If someone walked into your meeting, they should be able to tell who is running your meeting (Board Chair)
2. Clear tension between members
Whether it’s one-sided or every man, woman and child for themselves, creativity and collaboration dies in a tense environment. If your members do not feel
psychologically safe they will not speak up.
3. Focusing on operation and not strategy
Who, what, why... The background theme is the mission/vision, the daily task? Strategic Plan. Operational tasks are bound to come up. That's why you have committees and and Executive Director. Choosing a new payroll company is likely not part of the strat plan- move on!
4. Your board meeting is a conference call and there’s no video
This shouldn’t require further detail. Your bylaws should cover this in fact. Cameras ON. Virtual meetings don’t excuse meeting etiquette.
5. The board wasn't given the chance to review agenda/minutes
Give your board time to review the agenda and the minutes ahead of the meeting. The minutes will need to be approved for one but also...
6. You should have action items at your board meetings for the members/committees
This can be an accountability moment. Research shows people are more likely to do the work the if minutes are received 24-48 hours after a meeting wraps.
7. Rules process is unclear
Have a training/mentor process in place. Don't assume anyone knows what you know.
8. The voting process is clunky/awkward
Do you really know your script? It's fine to not have it memorized verbatim but practice. Your confidence will thank me for it later.
9. The sound of silence at 'new' or 'open' business
You may think that's a win because your agenda covered it all! On the contrary, the crickets you hear? Should be alarm bells.
10. Silence in between meetings
No matter the frequency, don't let meetings be the only time your board connects with you. Whether it's committee meetings, check-in call or even a personal text. As the leader you set the tone for how connected the board feels.
The overarching theme? Communication and respect. Your team is craving leadership, so let's give it to them!
Next, I will provide more answers on how to start to break these down but I know every situation is unique. If you want to discuss your scenario, reach out!
Book your free 30 minute consultation and let's get productive!
