REALBoard Buzz™
Organizational Culture and Policies: Where is the Connection?
Sometimes when boards start to develop Executive Limitations, they want to make sure their policies address organizational culture. Where might policies say it is unacceptable if the organization’s operations are inconsistent with our organizational culture? This...
Holding On for Dear Life …… or Death!
In my days as a much younger man I was invited to join friends for a weekend of canoeing on a river which included some exciting sections of rapids. Although not requiring a high level of white-water skills, it was nonetheless challenging especially for a novice...
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...
Is Your Board on ‘Cruise Control’?
A number of years ago, a family member was in the hospital, and I set out in my car to visit her. But I was preoccupied with a work-related matter, and before I realized it, I arrived, not at the hospital, but at the office! My reflex brain had put me into...
How Do You Know What You Don’t Know?
One day I was using a hand saw to cut a piece of wood. I knew enough to keep my hands in a safe position and brace the piece of wood. I also knew there are tough spots in wood, called knots, that can catch the blade, causing it to stick. Armed with this knowledge I...
If it Was Easy, Everyone Would Do It!
Policy Governance® is a model of governance based on a set of integrated principles. When a board consistently applies these principles, the organization is positioned for incredible impact. The hope of what could be is easy to grasp. When a board evaluating how it...
Three Considerations when Recruiting for Board Diversity
As more research comes in, the case for diversity at the board table grows even stronger. Diverse perspectives at the board table translate into greater board success and reduced risk. This has some boards asking how they can increase diversity at the board table. 1....
You Have the Tools to Govern, But Are You Healthy Enough to Maximize Their Potential?
When boards seek to govern with excellence, they often seek out a system or model of governance to help guide them. In other words, they look for a tool they can wield to help them get the job done. Policy Governance® is such a tool, and a wonderful one at that....
Where is Mr. Spock When You Need Him?
In previous careers, I have worked for several CEOs of non-profit organizations in which the respective boards weren’t using Policy Governance®. Meetings of the board were always intriguing from the perspective of understanding what the board was thinking. Prior...
Board Focus: Aspirational Mission Statement or Targeted Results?
Everybody appreciates an aspirational mission statement! Boards and staff often spend significant time developing and refining a mission statement that best captures what the organization does for others. And a mission statement is indeed very useful for branding and...