REALBoard Buzz™
Where Should the Board Keep Its Socks?
I recently attended a board meeting where several board members were becoming frustrated with the Rules of Order written in their policies. One person commented, “This is why I don’t like Policy Governance®; because it forces us to run our meetings this way.” This...
Two “Make or Break” Leadership Values
Think about the last time you were trying to resolve an emotionally-laden issue within your family, your business team, or perhaps your church or service organization. What and how did you communicate? My wife has often said one of my greatest strengths is that I am...
Different Journeys for Different Boards
Recently I drove six hours in one direction to facilitate a workshop and then I drove another six hours home. (You might be wondering – why not fly? That was the original plan until I realized that it was actually going to take longer than driving.) I wanted a...
What’s Your Board’s DNA?
Have you ever pondered the “DNA” of your board? Simply described, DNA is the unique genetic code or instruction manual that helps our bodies thrive. What should be in the DNA of a thriving board? The structure of DNA is a “double helix” – two intertwined strands, with...
When the Boss is Away – Governing vs Managing
Imagine that you are at work, and you’ve just met with your supervisor. During that meeting, your supervisor directs you to start a new project. Your conversation covers everything from the purpose of the project, the resources available including human resources, the...
The Mind that Made a Difference: The Genius of John Carver
Social media and publications are full of a wealth of really good ideas about business and social concepts. We are thankful that very smart people bring those concepts to our attention. Far less often, someone comes along with a radical concept that turns conventional...
ChatGPT Errors about Policy Governance®
I asked ChatGPT 3.5: “What are principles of Policy Governance?” ChatGPT got some aspects of Policy Governance right, some wrong, and some were simply AWOL. The creator of Policy Governance, John Carver (ChatGPT got that part right), identified 10 principles of the...
Keeping the Shower Clean
About a year ago I purchased a condo. The previous owner completely renovated the unit and then flipped it to me. Everything was brand new – appliances, flooring, bathroom fixtures – everything. I was bound and determined to keep everything looking as new and fresh as...
Are Your Monitoring Skills Over or Under Par?
Golf is an interesting sport. You head out to play your first round. You’re confident you’ll know what to do once you’ve teed up. After all you’ve been watching PGA and LPGA tournaments for a while. You’ve watched a few You-Tube videos to learn which clubs you need...
Board Improvement Requires Three Outcomes
If you serve on a board, you may see your role as limited to supervising and managing the highest-level staff person such as the CEO, Executive Director, or Lead Pastor. But what if your board’s actual job is to shape meaningful futures for those your organization...