I just finished the Trillion Dollar Coach. It’s wisdom gathered about the life of Bill Campbell who coached Eric Schmidt (Google CEO) and others.
The most challenging idea is that the CEO should drive near term actions of the Board and remove members who don’t add value.
His idea is that the CEO is the one person who vitally needs the right people on the Board in order for success. Although Bill was working with boards who paid board members, the compensation didn’t often pay for the steering work needed when someone needed to be in a different car.
While each board is unique, all board members need accountability. I recommend an outside appraisal of the board and board members every three years. Adding a driver’s role for the CEO to set the agenda and recruit board members for needed roles on the board may shift your nonprofit into high gear!.