REALBoard Buzz™
Everything is NOT Fine
A non-profit behavioral health organization I work with has an awareness campaign entitled “Everything is Not Fine.” Their clientele are children, youth and families. We all know this story. A loved one walks in the front door and you ask, “How was school? How was...
It’s the Results Stupid!
Do you remember back in 1991 when a U.S. Presidential candidate successfully used the slogan “It’s the economy stupid” to keep people focused on the message that he could bring back economic prosperity when the nation’s economy began to slip into a recession? Campaign...
Soap Doesn’t Work
You may have heard the story of two men walking down the street who spied a little boy with a very dirty face. One turned to the other and said, “Look at that dirty child! It’s clear that soap doesn’t work.” I am reminded of that story frequently when I read news...
Is Policy Governance® a “Good Fit” for Your Board?
So you are looking at your board’s governance approach and wondering if Policy Governance® is right for your organization? I remember when I was newly elected as a leader of a board, and we were looking to adopt the “Carver model.” I had no idea what that meant and...
Fishtailing is for Losers
It was just prior to the energy crisis of the 1970’s when cars were cars. I was waiting at the bus stop which was located about 100 yards past the intersection where three cars waited for the light to turn green. One was a Dodge Six Pack, the second was a Shelby...
If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going…
One of my favorite pieces of literature is Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. At one point in the story, Alice has an exchange with the Cheshire Cat that goes like this: Alice: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” Cheshire Cat: “That...
“Gotcha” Governance
If you read the title and thought this blog might be about a new approach to governance, you would be wrong. And unfortunately…you might be right. “Gotcha Governance” occurs when a board or, more likely, an individual director lies in wait for the CEO until just the...
Shift Happens
I fly a lot. I have the flight attendant announcements memorized: “In preparation for landing, please fasten your seat belts, ensure your seat backs and table trays are in the upright and locked positions, and stow your carry-on baggage safely. Please use caution when...
Don’t Look Under the Covers?
If you’re on a board, it’s so tempting to look under the covers! In Policy Governance®, who gets to look? The Board? The CEO? Well, that depends. In Policy Governance®, the Board writes policy that guides the management of the organization. There is a clear sequence...
Evidently this is Not Evidence!
Earlier on in my consulting career, it was common to come across boards in which directors thought that the Board Chair should be the CEO’s boss. However, when a board uses Policy Governance®, board members should operate in a manner that recognizes the board as a...