So I was thinking about what topic would be worthy of a “first Foundation blog.” I kept coming back to what I believe is the fundamental building block for thriving in times like these whether you run an agency, a foundation or a company. It’s great governance. We were so fortunate to have Susan Decker from Board Source come to our meeting in December. I invited her back to work with the national board we have for our own HCA charity for employees in need…The HCA Hope Fund in May.
So, here are three easy things to do differently with your Board. I’ve tried them and they really work.
- Use a catalytic question or two to change the tone of the conversation. Great examples are:
- What do you hope will be most strikingly different about this organization in five years?
- On what list, which you could create, would you like this organization to rank at the top?
- Five years from today, what will this organization’s key constituents consider the most important legacy of the current board?
- Identify the natural “critical friend” or “devil’s advocate” of the Board. If you don’t have one, identify someone to play that role for each meeting. This helps guard against “groupthink.”
- Use a consent agenda for routine business. This expedites the meeting so you have more time to focus on strategic issues and questions.
Stay tuned for info about a related webinar we are planning for this summer to follow up on some more of the concepts in The Source. Following the webinar, we will once again have a discount available should you want to order copies of The Source for your Board.
Now, part of what makes a blog a more powerful communication tool is for the readers to comment and share their ideas or thoughts or perspectives. So…..I would love to hear back from you how you are using the ideas in The Source to re-vitalize your work with your Board.
-Joanne Pulles, President, HCA Foundation