Strategic Focus Archives - The Governance Coach

Where Is Our Board Taking Us?

Posted by Paul Zilz
On October 21, 2021
Board Leadership, Strategic Focus

My wife and I were recently taking a leisurely walk at sunset. As we looked up to the sky, we noticed the high-flying airplane contrails which were lit up in a variety of shades of red, yellow, and purple, contrasting with a deepening blue sky. My wanderlust mind led me to state “I wonder where […]

Board Focus: Aspirational Mission Statement or Targeted Results?

Posted by Paul Zilz
On June 10, 2021
Accountability, Board Leadership, Strategic Focus

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 a key element for effective fundraising. But I would argue that your board’s time would best […]

Change Fatigue or Opportunity

Posted by Andrew Bergen
On January 21, 2021
Board Leadership, Strategic Focus

The fact that the world situation in the past 10 months has demanded much change from everyone is not news to any of us. We have all had to adapt – work patterns, schooling, parenting, shopping, dining, entertainment – and everything else has required new ways for us to interact. We have, in fact, been […]

Strategic Importance of Effective Board Education

Posted by Paul Zilz
On September 16, 2020
Board Development, Board Role, Strategic Focus

The Jewish Torah tells a compelling story of a Middle Eastern shepherd encountering a bush that burns but is not consumed. The shepherd, known by the name of Moses, was curious and approached the bush only to be called in a new direction by the God known by the Jewish people as Yahweh. This encounter led to Moses taking an entirely new life path that led […]

Make a Real Strategic Difference: Stop Managing and Start Governing!

Posted by Paul Zilz
On September 9, 2020
Clear Delegation, Governance Improvement, Policy Governance System, Strategic Focus, Strategic Leadership

I recently observed a board meeting where the board discussed whether or not to renew a contract with one of the organization’s vendors. Clearly, a majority of board members and the Executive Director were frustrated by a perceived lack of responsiveness from this vendor, and alternatives had been explored. Inevitably, someone asked if a motion […]

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 […]

Should your Board be Governing for Disruption?

Posted by Richard Stringham
On August 14, 2019
Ends, Executive Limitations, Strategic Focus, Strategic Leadership

If you observe boards over time, you start to see some interesting patterns. A couple of decades ago, boards of non-profits were prone to direct their CEOs to enter into partnerships. Closer examination would reveal that it wasn’t just boards that were pushing partnerships; much was driven by funding agencies, particularly government funding agencies. From […]

Budgets are Bad??!!

Posted by Ted Hull
On January 16, 2018
Budgets, Strategic Focus

[Note: if you are not a church, there’s still a lesson in this blog.] “A budget is the most overworked, overused, misunderstood, and inaccurate piece of fiction that a church board will ever see. It’s like a bad steak which is chewed on, gnawed on, and eventually choked down—unless it’s choked on first. Swallowing it […]

2 FOCUS (or Not 2 Focus)

Posted by Joseph Inskeep
On November 21, 2017
Board Agendas, Strategic Focus

Driving a car responsibly requires that we keep our focus in at least two arenas: one near at hand and the other more distant. Near at hand we must negotiate a complex, changing environment of pedestrians, traffic and potentially dicey road conditions. Lose our attention here and we can end up in the ditch or […]

Make a Real Strategic Difference: Stop Managing and Start Governing!

Posted by Paul Zilz
On October 10, 2017
Clear Delegation, Governance Improvement, Policy Governance System, Strategic Focus, Strategic Leadership

WILDFLOWERS AND TICKS! WHAT IS YOUR BOARD’S FOCUS?

Posted by Paul Zilz
On September 6, 2017
Strategic Focus

When I was driving home from church on a recent Sunday, I drove past a field of wildflowers. The colors and variety were stunningly beautiful, especially for this late in summer. As I contemplated the beauty, another thought crept into my mind: I bet there are a bunch of ticks in there! That struck me […]

It’s the Results Stupid!

Posted by Paul Zilz
On November 29, 2016
Board Leadership, Strategic Focus

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 phrases like that succinctly focus people’s attention on one key idea […]

Boredom In The Board Room?

Posted by Paul Zilz
On September 27, 2016
Board Focus, Board Leadership, Strategic Focus

You joined the board because you believe in the organization’s mission. Perhaps it is a not-for-profit whose mission is to ensure intellectually disabled people in your community have the resources they need to succeed at each stage in life. Perhaps it is your church whose mission is to demonstrate God’s love by ensuring the disadvantaged […]