Comments for Did your Board Choose the Wrong Executive? at http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org , comment 0 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:33:36 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/content/view/517/30/#pc_38 From Ruth in lieu of the fabulous Deb It is hard to respond to this question without understanding other variables in the situation but here are a few general observations: It is good, as a general rule when you have a complaint about something that does not rise to the level of the illegal or unethical to address yourself to the party in question first. Have you already tried to communicate with your executive directly to provide her with your perspectives on what you think is and isn't working about her leadership? I realize that for some people (not you necessarily) this approach seems nearly inconceivable but the unfortunate result of avoidance is that executives often do not get straight forward and accurate feedback on some of the downsides of their styles and strategies. Of course the variables I referenced earlier can make this solution - or any other I might suggest - impossible. For instance, if the executive is very defensive or vengeful, such an approach could clearly backfire. But so could an approach to a board member. When we have seen that kind of approach taken it often ends up in confused and ineffectual attempts to take the issue up indirectly even while an underlying issue and agenda is clearly present...a nightmare for all involved. This is, by the way, why we advocate the use of regularized 360 degree evaluations for executives. Boards, in this way, might save themselves a lot of unexpected surprises that have festered too long in secrecy. - ruth mccambridge Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:21:46 +0100 http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/content/view/517/30/#pc_37 This is a very insightful article. It describes precisely the situation at my organization. It is painful to watch an organization you care about fall apart. Careers disrupted. Staff growing depressed. Quality of work declining. Is there anything staff can do to help turn things around? Is it too risky to talk to the board? - Anonymous Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:15:49 +0100