Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Board Chair
Serving as a board chair is undoubtedly one of the most demanding yet rewarding leadership experiences. While board membership alone carries great responsibility, the pressures intensify when you step into a leadership role. From personnel issues to understanding and approving the annual budget, there is a lot of pressure to make the right decisions so the organization functions smoothly and is able to provide essential services to the community.
I learned a lot during my two-year tenure as board chair, which ended in December 2023. Since then, I've been reflecting on my experience. At the same time, I'm getting ready to start training for the KC Marathon. As an avid runner who has participated in this race several times before, the start of training is always exciting because you have high hopes and time goals to work towards. However, as training progresses, it becomes more challenging, especially as the runs get longer and your body starts experiencing aches and pains that can be hard to explain (I've definitely noticed this more as I've gotten older). What keeps me going is remembering the feeling I get AFTER completing a long run. I could probably run a marathon without training as hard, but the race itself would be much more taxing, and the recovery period after would be much longer. You can really feel the impact of the training on race day. Don't get me wrong, it still hurts like hell. I don't know if my body will ever truly get used to running that distance. But the feeling of pride and accomplishment is unmatched.
Serving as a board chair pushed me mentally and emotionally at times, similar to running a marathon.
After finishing a marathon, the immediate feeling is relief that the grueling feat is over. But then, a few weeks later, you start to miss the challenge and the sense of accomplishment outweighs the struggles. That's exactly how I felt after completing my tenure as board chair - initially relieved it was over, but deeply proud of what we accomplished together as a board.
I have grown a lot as a nonprofit leader and professional and have learned more than I could have anticipated. While I wouldn’t change anything about my two years serving in that role, there are definitely some key lessons learned that will shape how I lead moving forward. I know the title of this blog is “Things I Wish I Knew Before….”, but I’m really grateful I had the opportunity to learn these lessons over the last couple years. If you’re considering a board chair role or are currently serving in that role, I hope these lessons help you lead your board to the finish line (whatever that looks like for you):
You are not in it alone. Lean on your board! The chair role can feel lonely at times, but it's crucial to remember you have an entire board to support you. Don't try to do everything yourself. Identify strengths in other board members and lean on them for advice and delegation. Everyone is busy, including you. Just because you are the chair, doesn’t mean you have to do all the heavy lifting.
Having an agenda is only the first step in preparing for a meeting. Simply sending out an agenda is not enough to run an effective meeting*. Review past minutes, anticipate potential sticking points, and develop a facilitation plan to keep discussions focused and productive.
Know who is on your board and how to use them! Each board member brings unique skills, experiences and perspectives. Taking time to understand everyone's backgrounds allows you to best utilize their strengths during board work. Don't just rely on the usual voices - bring out the best in everyone.
Foster Trust and Strong Relationships Among Board Members: Productive board governance requires mutual trust and respect among members. As chair, prioritize team building to create an environment of trust. However, crucial relationship building happens outside formal meetings. Make efforts to connect one-on-one with each board member to understand their perspectives and expertise. Strong interpersonal bonds foster trust, easing tough conversations that may come up in the future. Progress moves at the speed of trust, so nurturing robust relationships is pivotal for success in the chair role.
You will never know everything. Ask for help and work together to find solutions. No one expects the chair to have all the answers, especially when navigating new or complex issues. Even if you’ve chaired a board before, every board is different. It is a constant learning curve that you have to lean into instead of fight against. Give yourself grace and do the same for others. We make the best decisions we can with the information we have at the time. Assume good intent, recognize your impact, and learn from your mistakes.
While stepping into the board chair role is challenging, it's an incredible opportunity for personal and professional growth. Much like training for a marathon, the journey tests your mental and physical limits, but crossing that finish line leaves you with an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment.
While my time as board chair has ended, I recognize there is still a need to support others facing the unique opportunities and challenges of this leadership role. That's why Rooted Strategy is starting "Caring and Chairing" - a community group dedicated to helping current board chairs navigate the challenges of the chair role. Just as runners reunite after races to share stories, recommend training tips and celebrate successes, we can learn so much from one another's experiences in the boardroom.
By developing key facilitation skills, fostering environments of trust and collaboration, and leaning on a support network of peers who've been there before, you'll be well-equipped to guide your board toward achieving its mission. Embrace the complexity of the chair role, ask for help when needed, and lead with purpose. The rewarding feeling of successfully crossing that finish line will make all the struggles along the course worth it. We hope to see you at Caring and Chairing so we can train together and share strategies for navigating the challenges and sharing the successes of nonprofit board leadership.
*see our Guide to Effective Meetings for more tips on how to run an effective meeting!
