MANAGEMENT by Sandi Webster, PhD The unruly board You notice that your board meetings are out of control. Board members are frequently absent, often joining meetings online with their videos turned off, and those who do attend tend to leave early. You spend the entire meeting trying to prove a point or get everyone on the same topic. You have lost control. It sounds like you’re dealing with quite a challenging situation. An unruly advisory board can indeed be difficult to manage, but recognizing the signs and taking appropriate action can help bring things back under control. Here are some common signs of an unruly advisory board, along with suggestions on how to address each issue: Ignoring an unruly board can lead to several negative outcomes, including decreased organizational effectiveness, loss of trust among stakeholders, and potential financial or reputational damage. It can also result in missed opportunities and a lack of strategic direction. One effective framework to help a board become more cohesive is Patrick Lencioni’s “Five Dysfunctions of a Team” model. This model addresses common team dysfunctions such as lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. Here is a brief summary of Patrick’s pyramid. 1Absence of trust: This is the foundation of the pyramid and occurs when team members are unwilling to be vulnerable within the group. Without trust, team members are hesitant to admit mistakes, ask for help, or offer constructive feedback. To overcome this, teams can engage in exercises that build vulnerability-based trust, such as sharing personal stories or engaging in team-building activities. 2Fear of conflict: When there is a lack of trust, team members are unable to engage in unfiltered, passionate debate about ideas. This leads to artificial harmony and prevents the team from addressing important issues. Encouraging open dialogue and creating a safe environment for conflict can help teams overcome this dysfunction. 3Lack of commitment: Without healthy conflict, team members rarely buy into decisions, leading to ambiguity about the team’s direction and priorities. To address this, teams should ensure clarity and closure by setting clear deadlines and making sure everyone is heard before a decision is made. 4Avoidance of accountability: When there is a lack of commitment, team members hesitate to call out peers on counterproductive behaviors, leading to poor performance. Teams can overcome this by establishing clear standards and holding each other accountable through regular progress reviews. 5Inattention to results: The ultimate dysfunction occurs when team members put their individual needs (such as ego, career development, or recognition) above the collective goals of the team. To combat this, teams should focus on collective outcomes and reward behaviors that contribute to the team’s success. By addressing these issues proactively, you can help transform an unruly board into a more cohesive and productive team. Conducting a workshop based on this model can help the board identify and overcome these dysfunctions, leading to improved collaboration and effectiveness. SANDI WEBSTER, PhD, is the CEO of Sandi Webster LLC, which helps business owners form advisory boards through an online course, workshops, or a Done-With-You model. A member of the Enterprising Women Advisory Board, she is a former recipient of the Enterprising Women of the Year Award and the co-chair of the New York Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum. Contact her at sandi@sandiwebster.com. Issue Sign Action Lack of Focus or Direction Meetings often go off-topic, and board members seem unclear about the organization’s goals. Establish a clear agenda for each meeting and stick to it. Set specific goals and objectives for the board to focus on. Consider having a strategic planning session to realign the board with the organization’s mission and vision. Dominating Personalities A few board members dominate discussions, leaving little room for others to contribute. Implement structured meeting protocols, such as a round-robin format, to ensure everyone has a chance to speak. Encourage quieter members to share their thoughts and consider using a neutral facilitator to manage discussions. Lack of Accountability Board members do not follow through on commitments or responsibilities. Clearly define roles and responsibilities for each board member. Set deadlines and regularly review progress. Consider implementing a performance evaluation process for the board. Conflicts of Interest Board members have personal or professional interests that conflict with the organization’s goals. Establish a conflict-of-interest policy and require board members to disclose any potential conflicts. Address conflicts openly and ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the organization. Poor Communication Information is not shared effectively, leading to misunderstandings and confusion. Improve communication channels by using collaborative tools like Slack, and having regular updates. Encourage open and transparent communication among board members. 62 enterprising Women
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