REALBoard Buzz™ - The Governance Coach

Embracing Uncertainty

Posted by Eric Phinney
On April 2, 2020
Expert Coaching. Practical Resources.

I had always dreamed about sailing south. After acquiring boats and learning whatever I could, I came to believe that I could do this kind of adventure. But I had a full-time job and a less-than-willing spouse. Perhaps I could take early retirement and try another line of work. Out of the blue, my wife said, […]

The ‘Minister’ Question

Posted by David Gray
On April 1, 2020
Ends, Policy Governance System

One of the most powerful features of the Policy Governance® system is its relentless focus on effectiveness. I have a favourite question I like to ask the boards of the Māori organisations I work with, early in our relationship. (Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, which is where I live.) Here it is: […]

How Does COVID-19 Change Your Board’s Agenda? Part 1 – Content

Posted by Jannice Moore
On March 31, 2020
Expert Coaching. Practical Resources.

As we all work towards the “new normal” boards are being faced with new challenges daily. If your board uses Policy Governance®, you may be wondering how decisions around the pandemic may change your agenda. This is the first of two tips we hope you will find helpful – Part 1 focuses on content areas […]

Ask The Right Questions

Posted by Rose Mercier
On March 26, 2020
Expert Coaching. Practical Resources.

I just finished a newspaper article1 which has been stuck in my head. Here’s the earworm that has been playing over and over – although I realize it isn’t a musical tune, it has had the same effect – it wasn’t until the organization asked the right question, that the decision became clear. A bit of background might help you understand […]

Was that a Board Decision?

Posted by Richard Stringham
On March 25, 2020
Board Chair Role, Board Meetings

Readers of our blogs will recall that only the board as a whole has authority to make board decisions. It may delegate some of its authority to others (e.g., the CEO, board officers, or board committees), but there are some things it should never delegate to others and other decisions that it may choose to hold onto. If the board as a whole is holding authority for a decision, […]

Meetings During a Pandemic

Posted by Eric Phinney
On March 18, 2020
Board Meetings

By now, if you are a board chair, you have most likely canceled any upcoming face to face meetings.  The question arises: what to do now? There are still critical matters of governance that need to be carried out.   Some organizations have already been using Zoom, GoToMeeting, or some other video or audio-conferencing platform and you will […]

Fist to Five to Achieve Consensus

Posted by Andrew Bergen
On March 10, 2020
Board Meetings

Some years ago, I stumbled across a method for helping groups achieve consensus. Recently, I have pulled it out again while working with boards who are debating their Ends policies. Ends are really important – it’s the reason why the organization exists in the first place. And, because they’re so important, it is easy for board […]

Posted by Richard Stringham
On March 6, 2020
Board Meetings

In the news at home today, the federal Minister of Health, “cautioned Canadians to prepare for the ‘eventuality’ of [a coronavirus] outbreak here.” Elsewhere, we are witnessing more severe measures already in place such as the state of emergency just declared in the State of California. While governments are bracing and preparing, I’m sure that boards of directors are wondering if their respective […]

Writing Ends is more like distilling spirits than brewing beer!

Posted by Eric Phinney
On March 4, 2020
Ends, Policy Development

Last winter my wife and I cruised the coast of Florida in our sailboat. We happened upon the city of St. Augustine and were thrilled by the number of attractions. We ended up staying an extra day as we had seen an advert for free winery, distillery and brewery tours. There had to be a day’s activity in that. We spent […]

Why shouldn’t a board approve the CEO’s plans?

Posted by Rose Mercier
On February 26, 2020
Accountability, Any Reasonable Interpretation, Board Role

One of the changes a board experiences when it begins to use Policy Governance® is a move away from a more traditional decision-making process where the CEO requires the board’s approval before proceeding with any plan. Instead, it delegates authority to the CEO to achieve its policies (reasonably interpreted, of course) using whatever plans the CEO determines are necessary. First the board must determine the benefits to be produced, who is to benefit, and the worth of producing those […]

Tradition or Renewal?

Posted by Eric Phinney
On February 19, 2020
Board Role

Is your board a product of many years of tradition with a few tweaks thrown in by well-meaning experts or based on books read by members? Perhaps it is time for an overhaul? But wait, things are working, sort of, and we wouldn’t want to change too much too fast. If you know there are […]

Why Are We Wasting Time Talking About That?!

Posted by Paul Zilz
On February 12, 2020
Board Agendas, Information for the board, Strategic Focus

Perhaps you have found yourself in a board meeting wondering why the board was taking time to discuss something you thought had neither strategic nor fiduciary importance. You lamented, “Why is the board wasting time talking about this issue?” As a board member serving on a variety of boards, as well as a consultant and coach who helps boards govern more effectively, I recognize […]

THINKING ABOUT CEO INCENTIVE PAY AS A QUESTION OF VALUES

Posted by Rose Mercier
On February 5, 2020
CEO Compensation, Values

In Policy Governance®, policies express a governing body’s values, so making those values explicit is the first step in answering a policy question. This is true of any important policy decision that a board wants to consider. One question a board may face is whether or not to provide incentive pay to its CEO. While the […]

SO YOU’RE A POLICY GOVERNANCE CYNIC

Posted by Ted Hull
On January 29, 2020
Policy Governance System

I was in my rookie year of consulting to boards in the area of Policy Governance®. I knew the model well enough to present it with clarity and accuracy. What I had not faced were the objections to the model. “So tell me how this model is better than any other model,” a board member challenged. I […]

Why is Discipline a Dirty Word for Some Board Members?

Posted by Richard Stringham
On January 22, 2020
Board Leadership, Board Role, Board Self-Evaluation

In this age of disruption, what follows might seem heresy. We are encouraged to think outside the box, to view our businesses differently. I’ve no quarrel with that. But I’ve been witnessing some boards in which board members are shirking discipline and, in some cases, doing so because they want to make changes. Again, I don’t […]

Monitoring by Direct Inspection – When, How and Why?

Posted by Rose Mercier
On January 15, 2020
CEO Evaluation, Monitoring

There are three methods that a board can use to monitor the CEO’s compliance with its Ends and Executive Limitations policies. The most frequently used method is an internal report where the CEO provides evidence of the reasonable interpretation. Last August, I wrote a blog about using external monitoring. It’s time to address monitoring by direct inspection. What is the direct inspection method of monitoring? Quite simply, it is when the board delegates one […]

At What Point do I Begin?

Posted by Eric Phinney
On January 8, 2020
Board Development, Governance Improvement, Policy Governance System

I am always pleased when I am invited by an organization to come and help them with their board of directors. Then comes the fine tuning of the invitation. They have requested to see all the various “systems” of board governance and learn their advantages and disadvantages. Usually boards are using a process they have inherited that is based on tradition, an application of Robert’s Rules of […]

Taking Stock – Hindsight Can Be Positive

Posted by Jannice Moore
On December 31, 2019
Board Development, Board Self-Evaluation

“Hindsight is 20/20 vision.” We often consider this a negative statement as we rue some decision we have made. As we head into the literal year 2020, let’s consider the statement in a positive light. Hindsight literally means “thinking about things after they’ve happened.” Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, I encourage you to take […]

You Can’t Bring That in Here

Posted by Andrew Bergen
On December 18, 2019
Board Development, Board Self-Evaluation

You’ve heard all those horror stories about crossing the border between two countries, how difficult the immigration and customs process can be? Have you watched the National Geographic Channels show, Border Security? Well, I’ve had a few troubles at border crossings, but overall, it’s been ok. However, I do know how things can get really bad. Right now, the Border Agent checks to see if any prohibited materials are […]

Jet Trails or Trail Blazers?

Posted by Jannice Moore
On December 11, 2019
Board Leadership

On a recent walk I was enjoying the clear azure blue sky when I noticed a jet trail streaking across it. The trail made a spectacular impact, but in a few minutes it had faded from view. I was reminded about boards and board members I’ve encountered over my career. All too often their short-term thinking has a similarity with […]

How Well Has Your Board Performed This Year?

Posted by Paul Zilz
On December 4, 2019
Board Leadership, Board Self-Evaluation

As we near the end of the calendar year, we often take stock of performance: ours, those accountable to us, and our investments. Shouldn’t your board evaluate its own performance too, since it is accountable for your organization’s performance to whomever “owns” your organization? Most boards aspire to see the organizations they serve make a real difference in people’s […]

The Powerful Nature of Conversation

Posted by Dee Incoronato
On November 21, 2019
Board Role, Owners and Ownership

While I was working on my doctoral degree in Organization Development, one professor emphasized the powerful nature of conversation in an organization. She pointed out repeatedly the many ways language creates change and in the process of conversation, change emerged. Ralph D. Stacey in his book Strategic Management and Organizational Dynamics: The Challenge of Complexity […]

The Future Keeps Moving

Posted by Andrew Bergen
On November 13, 2019
Board Leadership, Future Focus

I’ve been on a journey the past 2 years – toward greater physical health. Those of you who know me might think there is a long road ahead! I’ve made significant progress and still have some distance to travel. I’ve always enjoyed running (not fast, but I get there!) and so have made that one […]

Meaning & Purpose in Governance

Posted by David Gray
On October 30, 2019
Board Leadership, Sustaining Policy Governance

I’ve been thinking lately about a particular feature of board performance that I see all too often. It’s a feature that has troubled me for some time now, but I think I’m beginning to understand why it happens and how to avoid it. Governance is a system. One of the most famous definitions of governance is found in what is commonly called […]

The Blame Game

Posted by Rose Mercier
On October 23, 2019
Accountability, Any Reasonable Interpretation, Monitoring

I read a series of reports in my local paper chronicling the hand-wringing of the board of a local municipal agency about what it could do about credit card expenses that had been submitted by a previous CEO – two years since departed. The board was not happy about what it had discovered. The local exotic dancing venue seemed to have been a favourite venue for entertaining prospective businesses or partners…One can perhaps understand the board’s discomfort. The […]

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