Learn more about my book "The Courageous Ask"
Blog Layout
Reminder: Leader, Your Board Wants You to be Successful
Brian Kreeger • Dec 08, 2021
There are leaders out there
who are struggling with, and are frustrated by, their boards. They need this reminder. Trust me, the struggle and frustration works the other way too. In this article, I want to help leaders work toward a reset in a sometimes difficult relationship.
This isn’t about placing blame. There is plenty of blame to go around I’m sure.
Right now there are leaders reading this who are saying things like, “You don’t know
my board.” I have served on tons of boards and on a few occasions have served them. Chances are, that yes, I do know your board.
There are also leaders reading this who are saying, “If this one board member were to go away things would be so much better.” That may be true and legitimate….but it may not be.
I know that no matter how hard it is to believe sometimes, your board wants you to be successful. You represent the mission they are serving just like you. At minimum, they are working to make the mission successful. So, as the mission’s representative, they want you to be successful.
(This blog focuses on starting a conversation centered on preventing the fall of nonprofit leaders. I write it from a Christian perspective, but all leaders will benefit. Be sure to sign up to receive these articles via email every Tuesday at briankreeger.com as well as taking a look at previous blog articles. In addition to receiving these articles two days before they hit social media, you will receive the article "5 Early Indicators of a Christian Nonprofit Leadership Fall" along with the Contents, Introduction and the Appendix (My story) of my book, The Courageous Ask: A Proactive Approach to Prevent the Fall of Christian Nonprofit Leaders.)
Executive, you know each member of your board. In fact, it is doubtful that anyone on your board would have been elected to your board if you did not approve. Each member of your board was chosen, usually with your input, for a particular reason. They bring something to the board and the organization that is desirable and needed.
On the flip-side, the board either chose to serve with you or chose you as the executive because they believed in you.
Legally, the board is the entity, and as such, it is responsible for the success or failure of the organization. They get to celebrate with you or clean up right along with you....and, sometimes without you. It’s an enormous responsibility, and they are your boss.
In most cases, each member of your board is a volunteer. They are serving at their own will because they have a passion for the organization you represent and serve. This passion drives them to want to contribute, and one way they do that is through their board service. They are sacrificing time and emotional energy they could use for other important parts of their life, including family time. They came on the board because they believe in the organization.
So, what do you do with all of that?
You respect it.
It’s imperative that a leader
works hard to develop the best relationships possible with each individual board member. They ended up on your board because of their wisdom, and you need to avail yourself of that wisdom, even if it hurts.
Many times the survival of a floundering executive can be affected by board members who, like all of us, are imperfect, fallible people. They deserve the same degree of grace and mercy that you demand from them.
As I look back, I have to say that there was no time before, during, or after my fall that I found myself wondering if my board wanted me to be successful. We certainly did not agree on how each other handled things during the difficult times, but I have found that with time and the proper application of grace, I can see things much clearer and come to this conclusion.
Executive, your relationship with your board
is one that needs to be nurtured purposefully. They need to be your partner when you are experiencing success and when you are struggling. You need to entrust them during both, even when the struggle delves into an area deemed personal.
I would strongly recommend taking the level of relationship with one or more of them to a deeper level than the rest. This will require vulnerability, trust, and a high level of courage.
My wife and I have looked for a home church a time or two. I would estimate there are at least 50 churches within 15 minutes of our home. As I have gotten older, I have realized that if we cannot find a church that fits within our needs and standards, we are probably the problem.
If an executive cannot develop a high level of relationship with one of at least five board members, it might be time for some introspection.
Never underestimate or take for granted the importance of the relationship you have with your board. It is as important as any relationship you have related to your organization. That includes volunteers, staff, donors, government officials, accountants, and everyone else. In fact, most times your relationship with the board is most important.
Recently, I was engaged in a leadership course with the Christian Leadership Alliance.
In this course they listed the following shared responsibilities of the board and the CEO:
1. Focus on the best interest of the organization
2. Build close, but independent relationships
3. Establish precise expectations
4. Establish roles and responsibilities
5. Demonstrate humility, trust, and respect
Yes, there are plenty of more technical responsibilities that involve communications and reports. But these five recommendations form the basis of the relationship.
The board is responsible for nurturing these attributes in the relationship. But leader, so are you. Remember, these are shared responsibilities.
How are you making out? Do you happen to be holding on to anything from the past? Have the relationships wandered away from the initial comraderie felt when the members came on the board?
Might it be time for a reset? Remember, your board wants you to be successful. I’m pretty sure the relationship is worth it.
A reset will take courage and humility.
Be Courageous!
Be Proactive!
Be sure to sign up to receive these articles via email every Tuesday at
briankreeger.com. In addition to receiving these articles two days before they hit social media, you will receive the article "5 Early Indicators of a Christian Nonprofit Leadership Fall" along with the Contents, Introduction and the Appendix (My Story) of my book,
The Courageous Ask: A Proactive Approach to Prevent the Fall of Christian Nonprofit Leaders.
#Leadership Fall #Leadership Survival #Nonprofit Relationships #Proactive Approach #Leadership Struggles #Leadership Battles #Christian Executive Leader #Christian Leader #Courageous Ask #Proactive #Proactive Leadership #Nonprofit Leadership #Reset #Board/CEO Relationship
Executives -pastors or nonprofit executives in our context- are put on a pedestal. It’s not that the typical person necessarily believes they belong there or desires to put them there. But it is human nature that this happens. The general public often places much higher expectations on leaders than they do on themselves. Sometimes it is appropriate, and the leader has put themselves in that position. In some cases, it is simply scriptural. For instance, James 3 points out that those who teach will be judged more strictly, thereby heightening the expectations of those who lead and teach. But what about when we accept, and enact, those elevated expectations and forget the humanity of our leaders? Often a community heaps on a leader the expectation that they are to perform with the perfection of Jesus and not simply be a Jesus follower and disciple just like them, but with a unique calling and heightened responsibility. Too many times when a leader shows human imperfection, the respect we have for them is damaged. Leaders fall under strict judgment, and we forget they are no less fallible than us. The imperfection they have colors any positive experience we would have had with them otherwise. While most of us acknowledge this strict, hypocritical judgment and recognize it as not being how we want to treat our leaders, it is a difficult battle to fight in our own attitudes and minds. No matter who the leader is, they are not Jesus. But please allow me to reverently make some comparisons. (This blog focuses on starting a conversation centered on preventing the fall of nonprofit leaders. I write it from a Christian perspective, but all leaders will benefit. Be sure to sign up to receive these articles via email every Tuesday at briankreeger.com as well as taking a look at previous blog articles. In addition to receiving these articles two days before they hit social media, you will receive the article "5 Early Indicators of a Christian Nonprofit Leadership Fall" along with the Contents, Introduction and the Appendix (My story) of my book, The Courageous Ask: A Proactive Approach to Prevent the Fall of Christian Nonprofit Leaders. )
You are the community, no matter what formal role you play in a particular organization, or if you play any role at all. My blog articles typically focus on the roles the leader and the board have in preventing the fall of Christian nonprofit leaders. But I contend that the community that exists around organizational leaders and boards has a role as well. In fact, a community’s role can many times be much bigger. My next few blog articles will focus on the role of the community in preventing the fall of Christian nonprofit leaders. (This blog focuses on starting a conversation centered on preventing the fall of nonprofit leaders. I write it from a Christian perspective, but all leaders will benefit. Be sure to sign up to receive these articles via email every Tuesday at briankreeger.com as well as taking a look at previous blog articles. In addition to receiving these articles two days before they hit social media, you will receive the article "5 Early Indicators of a Christian Nonprofit Leadership Fall" along with the Contents, Introduction and the Appendix (My story) of my book, The Courageous Ask: A Proactive Approach to Prevent the Fall of Christian Nonprofit Leaders. )
