The Importance of Teamwork on the Board
I used to play soccer, and like any other team sport, it requires a great deal of trust in your teammates. Good communication is also key. Each individual team member has to know their role, do their part, and integrate seamlessly with their fellow players. I usually played midfield - couched in between the offense and defense. My job was to feed the forwards the ball to score and support the defense when the other team attacks. After playing with the same group of girls for years we became one unit - knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses and reading the plays so well we could pass without looking.
A Board isn’t much different. The Board is a team – a unit - acting as one. As Board members, we can and should rely on each other, work together, get to know each other, and leverage our individual strengths for the good of the organization. It’s easy to get caught up in our own performance and forget that the power of the Board is really in the team. Just like in soccer, each person is integral to the success of the team, but it’s the team that wins or loses.
Boards are (can be) assets to nonprofit organizations. Board members play very significant roles, providing guidance to nonprofits by contributing to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as ambassadors and advocates. In addition to representing the best interests of the community and target population, there are legal responsibilities that come with being on a Board.
The power of the Board lies within the whole – no one Board member has more influence or authority over the others. You heard that right, the Chair/Board President doesn’t hold more authority than the Treasurer or any other Director. Why is this so important? Because when Board members don’t know their role or are disengaged, it affects the whole unit, and ultimately the organization. One of the common complaints we hear from Executive Directors is that the dysfunction within their Board keeps them up at night and from doing their work. When the Board isn’t working in harmony, it creates a “management” issue for the Executive Director. And this becomes yet another hat the ED must wear.
So how do we help the Board operate as a team? We have a few tips/ideas that may help create more cohesiveness:
Everyone must know their role (it’s the organization’s job to make sure Board members are properly educated), which includes fiduciary duties and expectations.
Make sure Board members are the right fit. Do they believe and fully understand the mission and work that you do?
Create effective processes for communication (including interaction guidelines) between Board members and between Board and staff.
Establish collective governing goals and objectives for the Board, including performance targets.
Create opportunities for socialization. Board members should get to know each other as individuals and what strengths they bring.
If this topic resonates with you and you’d like to learn more, join us for our next Lunch and Learn on July 25th @ 12 p.m. MST. Head over to the registration page by clicking here.