4 Practical Ways You Can Engage and Excite Your Quiet Board Members
Many times, we’ve had nonprofit leaders surface concerns about their board members.
This is our third board meeting together and they seem so quiet.
I can’t really figure this board member out – there’s no engagement.
I do my best to draw out this board member but to be honest, I’m not even sure why they’re here.
If you’ve been there, know that it’s common to be uncertain or feel unsure on how best to engage and activate your board members.
But it’s also not something you can ignore or hope will get better with time. It’s imperative to be proactive and deepen the connection now – both so it doesn’t erode and so you each can reap the benefits of truly rewarding partnership.
Engaging your board member starts with having regular – by that, I mean monthly – one-on-ones. Too many executive directors and CEOs fail to take this step and it’s a huge missed opportunity. After all, how can you hope to engage your board members if you don’t know them? These meetings are quieter connection points that naturally lend themselves to more personal conversation, offering openings to go deeper and build shared vision.
As a counselor to nonprofit executives and leaders, and a longtime board member myself, these are ways you could make some gentle overtures that ultimately encourage greater activation.
Ask your board member how they’re doing
This sounds fundamental; it’s anything but. Board members are typically leaders with significant business, social and community ties — and that often translates to pressure. And like every human, they can have concerns around family, friends, health, and money. Leave some space for the notion that your Board member isn’t disengaged; they may be prioritizing other, more pressing personal or professional issues at that particular moment in time. And if you hear those concerns, make sure you demonstrate empathy and offer the help that you can.
Provide some kind encouragement
If there are no major personal concerns on the table, this is an opportunity to remind them how important their voice is to you and to the larger organization and Board. Your goal is to encourage them to share their ideas. Tie it to subjects you know they’re interested in.
In our last Board meeting, we were talking about fundraising and I know you mentioned a gala you once thought was well done.
You have deep expertise in finance and in our next meeting, we’ll be discussing X topic. I’m wondering if you might take 15 minutes to level set us all on some of the basics so we can all operate from a common foundation of knowledge.
You once mentioned you know several senior leaders at Corporation X. They might be a natural fit to underwrite our upcoming event. What do you think?
Remember that Board members can be shy
Not every leader is a natural extrovert, comfortable in groups, always willing to raise a hand and share an opinion. At times, shyness or discomfort can be mistaken for lack of engagement. Some Board members need reassurance that the Board is a place of equals – that a quieter voice is a valuable one, different credentials simply mean diverse strengths, and a difference in wealth or status isn’t an issue but actually useful.
Beyond the 1:1s, make a point of running an inclusive meeting
Disengagement can also happen because of a much simpler reason: you need to run a more effective meeting. Set clear agenda topics and time limits for each – send these out in advance. Indicate the members whose voices you’re particularly hoping to hear from on each topic. Don’t let members with bigger, if well-meaning, personalities dominate the conversation. Make a point of holding to reasonable speaking times and actively asking others to share their points of view.
Ultimately, there are many ways to connect with and motivate your Board members. Start in a 1:1 and work to understand the human that’s sitting before you – and continue your efforts by making your collective work as warm and inclusive as you can.
You’ll see the results.