LESSON 12 - Vision Growth Must Equal Leader Growth

Welcome to Lessons From the Nonprofit Boardroom Blog, a 40-week journey through the new book, Lessons From the Nonprofit Boardroom, by Dan Busby and John Pearson. Each Wednesday, we're featuring a guest writer’s favorite snippet from the week's topic. Mike Pate is our guest blogger this week for the second of four lessons in "Part 4: Epiphanies in the Boardroom."

LESSON 12 OF 40 - Vision Growth Must Equal Leader Growth

Caution! Vision-casting often backfires.

THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: In Lesson 12, we’re reminded that the board’s top responsibility is to regularly discern, “Do we have the right CEO?”

Read how a young CEO’s vision-casting trip almost backfired—and why Bill Hybels would ask the staff at Willow Creek to “hold your jobs loosely.” 

MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 12, pages 59-62:
• Ram Charan: “There is nothing more important for a CEO than having the right strategy and right choice of goals, and for the board, the right strategy is second only to having the right CEO.”
• “Boards must be equally discerning when recruiting and selecting a CEO as they are when determining if it is time for their current CEO to exit. It’s often the most difficult decision a board will face—but they must.”
• Richard Kriegbaum: “Oh, Lord, give me faith for this leap to the future. And make this a leap of leadership, not a solo jump.”

MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
I’ve met few leaders who readily admit that they are ill-prepared for the growth of their ministry. We can see shortcomings in others, but—let’s be honest—we’re often blind to our own leadership struggles. That’s why boards must regularly assess and plan for the organizational leadership needs of the future.

I agree that “many times only a new CEO with fresh thinking and fresh energy will bring new passion and perhaps needed gifting for your organization’s next season of ministry.” But—don’t exit your CEO yet! Inspire your CEO to grow with tools and resources such as: regular feedback, annual performance reviews—based on written goals, coaching, and a professional development plan (and budget). And pray daily for your CEO! 

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY MIKE PATE:

MIKE PATE is the executive director of camping for Transformation Ministries, a regional association of more than 170 churches. He leads three camps and two outdoor education LLC’s that operate in four states. Mike is the board vice chair of Christian Community Credit Union and in 2016 and 2017, served as a board coach in the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Board Leadership & Development Program. His favorite books include The Success Principles, by Jack Canfield, and Sailing Alone Around the World, by Joshua Slocum.

TO-DO TODAY: 

• Is it time to stretch your board’s vision? Hold your next board meeting, or board retreat, at an inspirational location.
• Confirm that you’re giving your CEO adequate feedback and encouragement. Does your CEO have a written professional development plan?
  

NEXT WEDNESDAY:
On Feb. 14, 2018, watch for Dan Davis' commentary on Lesson 13, "If You Need a Volunteer, Recruit a Volunteer. If you need a board member, recruit a board member." 

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