Have you ever wondered how you should get started on focusing your Board on strategy versus tactics?
Dean West, President and Founder of Association Laboratory, Inc., recently published a white paper that highlights the value of assisting a Board to achieve this goal. West suggests, “to act strategically has consistently resulted in superior decisions. Superior decisions mean superior outcomes.” The white paper is a compilation of input from 25 association leaders who participated in the research.
The “Creating and Sustaining a Strategic Board” white paper begins by defining strategic Board. Characteristics which include:
- Future focused
- Establishes, Prioritizes, and Monitors Goals and Interim Measurement Standards
- Models Strategic Decision Making Competencies
- Promotes Accountability within the Board and in the Board/Staff Relationship
Some of the barriers that prevent a Board from operating strategically include:
- The Board is not composed of individuals with the necessary skills or competencies
- The association is not led by a chief elected officer or chief staff officer with the commitment and competencies to sustain a strategic Board
- The association reinforces a culture that focuses on short-term, operational thinking and decision making
- The Board is pressured to make poor decisions by external industry or professional influences
West summarizes some of the success factors that would assist in creating the ideal strategic Board. Successfully incorporating these traits will allow the Board to move your organization to the future. Just a few suggestions include:
- Consider how you can develop a more integrated and year-round volunteer identification, recruitment, and development strategy. Perhaps shift the name of your legacy “Nominating Committee” to a “Leadership Development Committee.”
- A stronger volunteer leadership identification system will help the organization to confirm that they will have a strategic thinker positioned in the chief elected officer seat. Having the volunteer leader supported by a strategic staff officer provides the fuel to spark the Board’s strategy into results that benefit the members.
- Make sure that there is a sound business process in place to support the Board’s ability to make decisions within a strategic framework.
Isn’t it time that you hit the pause button and reflect on the characteristics of your Board? The goal of a strategic board is achievable. You just need strong volunteer and staff leaders who are committed to lead with both focus and discipline.
Interested in this topic?
AH is developing a study that explores this and more. To participate in this research, please click here for more information.
