Best Practices for Engaging with your Board of Directors

EVENT REPORT

Leading an Association often means navigating uncertainty between the Board of Directors and the Management team. Many leaders recall the first time when they reported to a Board: uncertainty about expectations, hesitation about when to speak up, and stress on how to respond to comments or criticism. This Leadership Circle session created a supportive space for open exchange, where Association Executives reflected honestly on their experiences with their respective Boards, their Presidents, and exchanged ideas on how to navigate governance dynamics. 

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was that while everyone involved usually wants what is best for the Association, aligning expectations and behaviours is rarely straightforward. Boards are dynamic bodies shaped by personalities, leadership styles, national or sectoral interests, and especially by the role and disposition of the President. As a result, Association leaders experience very different dynamics depending on who sits around the table. Expectations are consistently high, both for Board Members and for the Management Team, making trust, effective Board management, and transparency essential conditions for success. Read more HERE.

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