Maverick Board Members
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When I first heard about blogging it sounded like a narcissistic endeavor. Now it seems like a fun way to capture and share random thoughts, experiences and life lessons. So here goes… |
Since I have spent the last 30 years in the non-profit sector that will be the focus of my musings. My first blog is about maverick board members. Having worked with hundreds of boards, I have found that there can be one or multiple mavericks on any board at any given time. You recognize them because they raise ideas that cause other board members to roll their eyes or count to 10. They propose “off the wall” ideas, take the board over ground that they have traveled before or over ground they have no desire to traverse and sometimes just plain get in the way of good governance. In the extreme they believe their board position entitles them to access codes to the building or dictating where the executive director should park.
I recognize that we are not born knowing “proper procedures” or understanding how boards work or what is expected of board members, so depending on personality some individuals just jump in questioning previous decisions, being oblivious to confidentiality expectations and telling the whole world, or at least as many as will listen what goes on or doesn’t go on at board meetings. There are an estimated 19 million board members in the U.S, and according to the Nonprofit Governance Index 2007 published by BoardSource less than ¾ of boards have a structured, in-person orientation for new members. In the same survey, chief executives gave their boards only a C+ in terms of understanding their roles and responsibilities.
There are a number of approaches to dealing with the maverick. Some boards just wait them out, try to minimize the disruption, and keep them from assuming any leadership position in the organization. Other board presidents take a more direct approach by sitting down with the individual and having a heart to heart. In these instances it is advisable to have another board member as a witness/support for the session. This should be a volunteer to volunteer heart to heart and the Executive Director should stay out of it. Other board presidents recognize the issue and believe it just may be a lack of experience and they will schedule a board training for the whole board so as not to single out the individual.
Mavericks come in all ages and both sexes, some are well-intentioned but ill-informed, others are just contrary, while still others want to use their board positions for personal power.
If you have a maverick on your board, I’d be interested in hearing how you are dealing with this person. Until next time…..
Pat
Congratulations on your "blogging" endeavor. Being the Chairman of the Board and only Board Member of our Company I serve both as a maverick and non-maverick member. I change positions as conditions dictate.
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Hey I am really enjoying this. I love reading that "volunteer service is the rent you pay to your community."
I think that is great!
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Being a "maverick" (yes, the word is overused) sounds a little too negative in your blog. Being the President of a non-profit board, my experience is that the mavericks sometimes bring a fresh perspective to an issue and even fresh issues that should be considered. in any event they can be thoroughly entertaining.
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