The Art of Playing Catch by Yourself
(3 minute read)
I recently had lunch with a senior executive from an multi-million international nonprofit. The conversation left me feeling that a lot was at stake. We talked about the organization’s apparent lack of effort to build a stronger, more engaged board of directors.
I could sense my friend’s frustration as she described a board filled with smart, connected, and influential individuals—yet their talent lay largely dormant. At the same time, there were gaps: some members had been recruited without clear expectations, resulting in a mix that lacked cohesion and purpose.
Our conversation reminded me of my work a Chicago area fine arts organization that serves about 800 children a month. At the time, their board was also disengaged, and the Executive Director wasn’t eager to change that reality.
I recall her making comments like:
- “They’re really nice people—and they’re my friends. Some will be really upset if we start replacing them.”
- “Changing the board will be really hard work.”
- “I’m not even sure where to start.”
- “I’ll have to change how I lead.”
- “This will take a serious time commitment.”
- “Will it be worth it?”
- “This feels like pushing a rope uphill.”
- “Why aren’t they more engaged?”
- “This is frustrating… it’s easier to just do it myself.”
In short, she had resigned herself to the way things were. But after several months of coaching and the strong encouragement of one of their largest donors, she made a dramatic decision: she asked the entire board to resign. This was a huge decision with far-reaching implications. Then we began implementing some key best practices. Over time, those changes reshaped the entire board and its effectiveness.
Today, she says things like:
- “I can’t believe the difference between then and now.”
- “They’re creative and innovative.”
- “They show up—mind, body, and spirit.”
- “They give their time, ideas, money, and connections.”
- “They support me emotionally and strategically.”
- “They lift my spirits—and the organization’s.”
- “The work is more meaningful, more rewarding—and our sustainability and impact have grown.”
What once looked like “impossible” became “powerful.”
Back to my lunch conversation. I asked my friend, “What do you think is going through your board members’ minds during meetings?” She didn’t hesitate:
- “Why am I here? All we do is listen to reports—they could just email these.”
- “There’s a lot of wasted talent around this table.”
- “I could help, but no one is asking for it.”
- “These ‘board’ meetings should be spelled B-O-R-E-D.”
- “It’s like playing catch, but the person you throw the ball to just lets it hit their chest and fall to the ground. What fun is that!
Her organization has a vital mission—one that matters deeply to people around the world. Yet for some reason they are not aware of or are unwilling to implement the best practices needed to engage and strengthen their board of directors. By the way, this is not uncommon.
Here’s the truth: building a highly effective, engaged board is not complicated. But it does require:
- Intentionality and long-term commitment
- A strong partnership between the CEO and the board chair
- The implementation of a set of proven best practices, starting with strategic board recruitment.
I’ll explore those practices in future posts.
If you’re a nonprofit leader, your board is not a burden to manage—it’s a force to ignite. Stop playing catch alone. Build a board that throws the ball back—with energy, purpose, and commitment to your mission.
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Please share this with your friends who are nonprofit leaders.
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This blog shares perspectives on how you could create new story endings that are filled with meaning, power and hope. I facilitate culture-changing processes through keynotes, workshops and consulting that help organizations achieve greater impact. Also, I provide leadership coaching to help executives and aspiring leaders become the fullest expression of who they’re intended to be.
If you’re looking for coaching or consulting services, contact me at contactbrianbecker@gmail.com.
#nonprofitleadership #vision #boardgovernance #boardengagement #nonprofitstrategy