A high percentage of consultations and projects, in my experience, distill down to the balance of power and authority between a board and its executive. This is a classic dilemma in any organization, and more common than it needs to be in nonprofit organizations.
Lack of clarity impedes mission fulfillment! The best and most clarifying principle, or remedy is a separation of duties.
The board is charged with the top level of thinking and planning for the organization – charting the course by determining what the organization shall accomplish year to year and approaching the vision horizon. The goals established by the board really constitute a set of directives to the executive.
The executive is charged with how to accomplish the annual goals, and within policy guidelines, needs to have the autonomy to work. The executive also serves as the sole direct report to the board, and is accountable for all organizational outcomes.
By continuing to separate what and how as needed, board and executive will be freed to move forward successfully.
