I\u2019m able to speak freely here because the board member you want to fire ain\u2019t reading my blog. This board member needs no resources, no tools and no advice on how to approach board service. S\/he\u2019s got this.<\/p>\n
The problem is this board member is toxic. In fact, that\u2019s the board member’s name. Toxic Board Member, <\/i>or TBM<\/em> for short.<\/i><\/p>\n Harsh? Yes, but I see it often and that\u2019s the word lots of people use \u2013 not just me.<\/p>\n I know you\u2019re anxious for my \u201cten easy steps that a board chair or a nonprofit CEO can follow to fire toxic board members.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019m really sorry to disappoint you.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t have any steps.<\/p>\n You know how to fire a board member? If you do, please comment below because I\u2019m dying to know your recipe.<\/p>\n So why am I bothering with this post? <\/i><\/p>\n Because you can make TBM go away.<\/i><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n You might be laughing. I don\u2019t need a list, you\u2019re thinking. Anyone<\/i> can see that this board member is toxic.<\/p>\n Not so.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to know if TBM<\/em> <\/i>is bringing you down.<\/p>\n OK, so you have now established that TBM<\/em> really is toxic. How do we make TBM<\/em> go away?<\/p>\n So I\u2019m sorry to report that you can\u2019t actually fire a board member. It can damage the reputation of the board member and by extension, the organization.<\/p>\n However, you do have two options. First, you can secure TBM’s<\/em> resignation or second (the more common strategy) you can manage TBM<\/em> out.<\/p>\n This happens only in the most egregious of situations. Egregious situations may include (but are certainly not limited to):<\/p>\n In any of these situations, revealing the egregious action to the board would be an extreme embarrassment to TBM<\/em> and securing a resignation should be fairly straightforward. It is important for people to know about the consequences of bad decisions.<\/p>\n I didn\u2019t say easy. I said straightforward.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how I think of it. Instead of dumping the whole bucket of water on the Wicked Witch of the West, just pour slowly.<\/p>\n In an intentional and strategic way, the Board Chair and the CEO must work steadily to reduce Toxic Board Member\u2019s<\/i> power, minimizing his influence step by step until he disappears (resigns).<\/p>\n How?<\/p>\nHOW DO YOU KNOW THE BOARD MEMBER IS TOXIC?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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HOW TO MAKE TOXIC BOARD MEMBER <\/i>GO AWAY<\/b><\/h2>\n
SECURING A RESIGNATION <\/b><\/h2>\n
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MANAGING TOXIC BOARD MEMBER<\/i> OUT<\/b><\/h2>\n
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