Become a High-Functioning Board Member
As your career progresses and your network expands, you may be asked to serve on a private or public board of directors. Whether volunteer or paid, elected or appointed, board service can be a rewarding experience if you and your fellow board members are part of a high-functioning team. Likewise, it can be a miserable experience if you are part of a dysfunctional board.
Ultimately, the only person you can control is yourself.
In my experience serving on multiple public and private boards, my service in the Illinois General Assembly, and in my professional experience of working with more than 100 boards across the state, I have noticed 20 traits that are essential for being a high-functioning board member.
Aware of the organization’s current issues and history
Prepare thoroughly for each board meeting and have a high attendance rate
Set a clear organizational vision and exhibit a strategic focus
Act as a team; share accolades, blame, and the microphone
Get to know fellow board members and key staff beyond a superficial level
Follow Robert’s Rules of Order
Step up in your area of expertise and share leadership on different issues
Involve the public and communicate with them openly, frequently and honestly
Don’t undermine staff
Exhibit humility and keep your ego in check
Watch your organization’s finances
Focus on board-level decision making not professional staff’s responsibilities
Be forward thinking
Mentor each other and learn from your fellow board members
Attend events, conferences, network and grow your abilities to bring back new ideas
Accept the majority decision after a vote and move forward as a team
Build strong relationships with other relevant organizations/agencies
Prepare thoughtfully but swiftly for negative press
Address and heal past wounds with other board members and stakeholders
Respect your fellow board members, staff and constituents.
Kudos to you if you consistently exhibit most of the traits above. High-functioning board members give much and in turn receive great satisfaction from a job well done.
Going beyond this list, are three additional traits that can take you from a good board to an exceptional board.
Value Diversity
High-functioning boards include a diversity of gender, race, age, experience, values and spending habits. Boards made up of diverse individuals make better decisions 87% of the time and make decisions twice as fast as those that are not diverse. When making decisions, you want to allow time for healthy, candid discussions about the issues, so everyone feels heard, and all ideas are on the table before taking a vote.
Create Partnerships
Reach out to other local governmental entities or peer organizations to pool talent and resources to deliver more to your constituencies. What you can’t do alone, you can do with a trusted partner.
Make Your Tenure Memorable
Create something that lives beyond you and positively affects your community. As famed Chicago architect Daniel L. Burnham said, “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work.” Dream big, fill a community need, build a new structure, create a scholarship program, develop a public/private partnership, fill a regional void. Know you made a significant impact during your board tenure.
Exit Gracefully
The final important trait of a high-functioning board member is to know when to exit gracefully. Timing is different for everyone. If you are motivated and engaged, your presence can benefit your board for many years or even decades. But when you lose your zest for bringing your best to your organization, know when to give proper notice, leave the organization better than you found it and allow the next energetic individual to make her/his contribution to the organization.
