How Association CEOs Can Empower Their Boards

Successful association CEOs recognize the pivotal role of three core practices in driving organizational success: enabling ongoing learning, ensuring alignment, and modeling accountability. By fostering a culture of continuous education among board members, providing comprehensive information for meetings, and facilitating strategic discussions on pertinent topics like diversity and inclusion, CEOs empower their boards to make informed decisions, according to an article by ASAE.

Enabling ongoing learning involves fostering a culture of continuous education among board members, providing them with relevant and comprehensive information for meetings, and facilitating strategic discussions on topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. This practice, supported by the CEO and the chief elected officer, helps enhance the collective knowledge of board members and clarifies philosophical considerations, such as risk tolerance and compensation philosophies.

Ensuring alignment requires regular conversations between the CEO and the board to confirm that organizational direction aligns with established goals. These discussions serve as reality checks and help maintain empathy and trust between both parties. Investing in authentic relationships, especially with incoming board members, is crucial for leadership continuity and effectively weathering challenges.

Modeling accountability is essential for building trust and fostering collaboration. Both the CEO and the board must accept responsibility for their respective roles, with the CEO leading by example in committing to and fulfilling responsibilities, reporting progress transparently, and fostering open communication. By demonstrating accountability in their actions and visibly committing to responsibilities and reporting progress to the board, CEOs can rebuild trust within organizations.

All of these practices combine to contribute to effective governance and strategic decision-making and build trust and collaboration within associations, ultimately driving collective progress and success.