BOARDynamics - Board Members Coaching Board Members

PURPOSE LEADS THE WAY

(The second in a series of insightful thoughts about the importance of agreement of a board’s Purpose, Roles, Goals and Behavior)

 

Are all your board members rowing in the same direction? Don’t worry if they’re not. There is a fix to this, and this fix holds true whether your board is elected, appointed, or is a volunteer board.

It is an honor and a privilege to be a board member.  The position comes with a responsibility to understand the agreed upon purpose of your board. If board members know their board’s purpose, they can understand their roles, base their goals upon their roles, and ultimately exhibit consistent behavior that allows the organization to move forward.

“If Everyone is Moving Forward Together, Then Success Takes Care of Itself”

-  Henry Ford

Purpose leads the way because it is the foundation of an organization. Teams that clearly define their purpose can concentrate on the things that are necessary for success.

WHY IS SHARED PURPOSE SO IMPORTANT?

It helps the team stay focused and promotes efficiency - When a board knows its purpose, it becomes easier to focus on what matters the most. When the purpose of the team is understood and shared, members have a better understanding of how they can contribute and add value.

It makes the team passionate – Understanding and agreeing to their purpose is an important driver for teams to achieve something extraordinary.

It unifies the team - With shared purpose, teams base their decisions, thoughts, feelings, and actions around that purpose. A team with a common, well understood purpose makes a greater impact through their work, which encourages unification.

It helps the team live with integrity - Teams who know their purpose know who they are, what they are, and why they are. With concurrence of purpose, board members will assume roles consistent with that common purpose.

It encourages trust - Teams who share a common purpose encourage trust and faith, which helps members consider themselves an integral part of the team.

School boards, for instance, are more scrutinized, with higher expectations, than ever. Before board members can deal with these expectations, board members must understand and agree on the board’s purpose.

 

“A successful team is a group of many hands and one mind.”

-    Bill Bethel