by Tom Okarma | Feb 9, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
Leaders have very little time to set a new tone, to begin installing a new DNA into an organization. The popular take on this is 100 days…give or take. That’s why I really like the way Theo Epstein and his new crew of leaders have literally torn into the Cubs...
by Tom Okarma | Jan 24, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
It seems to me almost all nonprofits whether faith-based or secular think if they can just hammer out a good Mission/Purpose Statement (What It Does), Vision Statement (What It Will Become), and Values Statement (What It Believes), then they have pretty much got...
by Tom Okarma | Jan 11, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
Last week I introduced this discussion about my friend having the right kind of board serving her organization. Briefly, I told her it depended on where her organization was in its life cycle and what it needs to succeed. Today, in part two I share more of my...
by Tom Okarma | Jan 5, 2012 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
I was recently asked by a friend of mine about the difference between an organization having a board of directors versus a board of trustees. He is trying to determine which model best helps him grow and refocus his small but successful organization. He wants to grow...
by Tom Okarma | Nov 16, 2011 | Blog, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning
No one can deny that planning is critical to success. While I personally thrive in an organizational culture of creativity and entrepreneurial thinking, eventually, if you want to get things done, you have to have a written plan. Still, planning can be very tedious...
by Tom Okarma | Nov 9, 2011 | Blog, Board Development, Governance, Leadership
Following up on my recent post about how boards fail, here are more thoughts on how boards can fall short of their responsibilities. Again, let me have your thoughts on these… Allowing personal agendas to trump focusing solely on the clients being served Not...
