Collaboration is essential for nonprofit boards to function effectively. They collaborate with staff members and committee members to help the nonprofit’s mission. Ofttimes, however the board’s personal dynamics can either encourage or inhibit their potential for collaboration.
One CEO of a non-profit organization told me about a collaborative board team that was plagued by infighting conflicts of interests, infighting, and mistrust. The board’s executive director hired a consultant to assist in getting the group back on the right track. She asked the chair to have frank discussions with the team. The chair reluctantly agreed.
The consultant discovered that the chair had a tendency to favoritise and had close relationships with a small portion of the team. She also observed the chair’s inability to communicate effectively and her lack of understanding about how to build trust within the group.
Boards can promote the development of a strong collaborative culture by ensuring that current and new board members are ready for it. When you take on new board members, make sure they are ready to take part in a collaborative culture by introducing them with other board members and providing them the chance to work in small groups with organizational staff before the first meeting. This will help them be familiar with the organization and its leaders and build valuable contacts. Give them resources that can aid collaboration between members like an online board portal so that board members can connect with each other in between meetings. In addition, arranging a board retreat or other gatherings can build camaraderie and create a culture of collaboration.
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