Episode 051 – Noah Smith – Developing a Solid Board – Executive Relationship

Episode 051 – Noah Smith – Developing a Solid Board – Executive Relationship

By on Nov 9, 2015 in Accountability, Associations, Board Leadership, Board of Directors, Board President, Change, Collaboration, Connect, Disruption, Lead by Action, Leadership, Market Relevance, Move, Ownership, Passion, Podcast, Reinvention, Risk, Stakeholders, Strategic Planning, Vision |

Noah Smith Promo

If you’re struggling with how to influence change at the board level, or how to develop a solid board/executive relationship, you do not want to miss this episode. Get your pen and paper ready, because you’ll want to jot down some takeaways of your own.

In Episode 051, Noah Smith, board president at Impression 5 Science Center and partner at Capitol Services, gets real about board leadership and interested engagement. He has some phenomenal insight about actively supporting the work of the executive director and how a board can be most effective during a time of dramatic change.

QUOTE IT

“Let’s stop talking about ‘wouldn’t it be great if’ and let’s just start doing some of that stuff.” (10:35)

“Once you get yourself out of trouble, then you have to move on to the next phase.” (18:15)

 

DIG IN

Listen around 7:55 to Noah explain why he thinks stability in leadership, particularly at the board level, is key during big change.

At 17:40 Noah debunks the myth that a board’s role is to rubber-stamp what the executive director puts in front of them and even offers the antidote for that type of sluggish board behavior.

 

TAKEAWAYS
1 – Continuity in leadership builds the bond between individuals and opens the door for “meaty” conversations.
2 – Board dreaming and board doing are two different things. Make sure both are happening.
3 – Engaged board members will actively listen, ask questions, set goals and make sure they are supporting the executive director to own the work.
4 – A good board is more than a gateway to good contacts, a good board is focused on developing new connections and ideas.
5 – Focus on how you can best support the efforts of the organization instead of using a board and committees to supplant the work.