Board NurturanceBoard NurturanceSusan S. Stratton, CAE

Leading Edge Mentoring

Dorothy I. Mitstifer, PhDKappa Omicron Nu

What is the Role of the What is the Role of the Board?Board?

Governance• Seeing to it that the

organization achieves what it should and avoids unacceptable situations.

Healthy StructureHealthy Structure

Board’s relationship with the CEO is formed around accountability of the position, not individual tasks.

Board’s concern is for total organizational performance for which it holds the CEO accountable.

CEO is accountable to the full Board, not individuals on the Board.

Key Concerns in the Key Concerns in the Board-CEO PartnershipBoard-CEO Partnership

Empowerment Boundaries Linkage Accountability Mutual Respect

Board Staff

EmpowermentEmpowerment The Board must

empower the CEO to do that which s/he was trained to do.• Delegate authority to

lead and administer.• Ensure resources are

adequate to do the job.

The CEO must empower the Board to do its own work. • Link to the

community.• Focus and deliberate

on real issues.• Be responsible for its

own job design, job products and Board discipline.

Respect for BoundariesRespect for Boundaries

Integrity of the Boundaries is the Key• Whatever the Board

delegates to the CEO is removed from the Board’s responsibility, but not its accountability.

Common sense communication in anticipation of brewing conflicts from both sides...• it’s human nature!

The Board monitors CEO performance• for accountability

Linking ActivitiesLinking Activities

CEO keeps the board in the loop.• to honor the

employer-employee relationship

CEO is a resource to the Board in its deliberations and pursuit of policy development

Clear communication while observing boundaries is critical

Accountability = Accountability = Integrity of Your WordsIntegrity of Your Words

Observe the boundaries of the garden fence

How Do You Get How Do You Get to the Healthy Structure?to the Healthy Structure?

Healthy Structure• Board’s relationship with the CEO is formed

around accountability of the position, not individual tasks.

• Board’s concern is for total organizational performance for which it holds the CEO accountable.

• CEO is accountable to the full Board, not individuals on the Board.

Creating Alignment: Creating Alignment: Board DutiesBoard Duties

The Board sets the tone• The Board must

work toward its own wholeness

The Board must focus and define the end goals (outcomes) in terms of the customers.

The Board clarifies the distinctions between the board function and the CEO.

The Board clearly delegates all operational issues to the CEO, and holds the CEO accountable for all it has delegated.

Communicating ExpectationsCommunicating Expectations For most effective results, the Board

clearly defines the expectations of what is to be achieved and what is unacceptable.

The Board defines the priorities. The Board defines the relevant

parameters • at what cost?

Communication is Two-WayCommunication is Two-Way Listening first,

seeking to understand

Speaking to be understood

Finding a win/win whenever possible

Respect from the CEORespect from the CEO Publicly support the

board and its members.

Facilitate board involvement in community advocacy and leadership.

Provide relevant, timely, comprehensive info. • No surprises!

Offer insight and recommendations, including option analysis and long-range implications.

Adhere to board policy.

Prepare reports that enable the board to monitor institutional performance.

Respect from the BoardRespect from the Board Keep the CEO informed.

• follow the rule of no surprises Publicly support the CEO

• Back CEO decisions. Fully consider recommendations

and information offered by CEO.• But remember, the CEO perspective is

internal, the board perspective should be externally driven.

All for One and One for AllAll for One and One for All

Board: What does the future need from this Honor Society?

CEO: What do our members need today to reach that defined future?

Work to stay on the same side of the problem.

Focus on the outcomes of the organization and the meaning of the society to the university community and the future of the Society.