The 7 Dysfunctions of a Board
Governing boards. Advisory boards. Boards of directors, trustees, managers. No matter what they’re called, they all have one thing in common: they’re made up of smart, well-intentioned people who come together to make important decisions.
They’re also incredibly busy and usually have strong opinions. But they often don’t have all the context they need to make decisions quickly or confidently. And somehow, they still expect you to move fast and reduce risk. It’s a tricky combination that can leave you feeling like you’ve got whiplash.
That’s where a Chief Facilitation Officer (CFO) can bring clarity, structure, and momentum to every board meeting, and tackle common board dysfunctions, including the top seven that trip up even the best teams.
Pre-reads are for the birds: Everyone wants the meeting material beforehand, but you can’t count on everyone to come prepared. The CFO can synthesize an executive summary of key points.
Zoom fatigue: Some may find it difficult to engage remotely and won’t contribute fully. The CFO will manage engagement and keep it interesting.
Rabbit holes: Digressions during precious meeting time prevent you from making the most of the time. The CFO can keep things on track and manage time effectively.
Conspiring consensus builders: The real decisions are made outside of the meeting. The CFO will surface the real opinions in the room and suggest where more opinions via structured research should be pursued.
Meeting flexers: Participants who are more ego-driven in their contributions can slow down progress by impressing you with their war stories and jargon. The CFO can balance participation.
Good news data hunters: All members want more data that tells the good news, but few want to confront the hard truths openly. The CFO can create a safe place for open problem-solving.
Quarterly reinvention syndrome: Some board members suffer from strategic amnesia and want to rehash prior decisions. The CFO will keep track of decisions, milestones, and progress in a well-documented and communicated strategic plan.
Even the best boards can get tripped up by a few all-too-common dysfunctions. A Chief Facilitation Officer can be a game changer if you're tired of chasing consensus, rehashing old decisions, or managing meetings that go nowhere fast. Ready to turn your board into a high-functioning team? Let’s talk.
