Avoiding the Traps:
Steps for Chief Executive Officers
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Before accepting the position take time to know what you're getting into: mission statement and program/service information, financial statements, strategic plan.
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In the interview, ask, "What are this year's goals?" Ask yourself candidly, "Can I really do this? Do I want to do this?"
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In the first weeks of taking the job, have individual conversations with all board members. Get their perspectives of the organization. Let them hear your vision.
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The best way to win an argument is to avoid it. (Dale Carnegie)
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Tell your board the truth, the whole truth. Allow as much positive information as possible, but do not protect your board from adversity simply because you fear their reaction.
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Know the difference between an opportunity and a threat. Many, many times, opportunities come disguised as impending doom. By the same token, know the cost of every opportunity.
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When you're wrong admit it quickly and move on from there. Do not do things to get by. (Peter Drucker)
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Do not attempt to walk on water -- most likely you will drown. Foster the relationship with your board as a partnership between leaders. Create discussions that focus on the issue and what we are doing to solve it together.
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Understand that your job is to develop people from the bottom up and top down. Pay as much attention to gaining the confidence of your support staff as you pay to earning the respect of your board chair.
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Ask questions, seek opinions, gather information from every corner, then make a decision and act.