My board are threatening to sack me!

Dear Aunty B,

I run a NFP and have turned it around. I have achieved in two years what I told the board I would achieve in five. And now they say they are thinking about sacking me!

They told me that I have not kept them in the loop and included them in the turnaround. And that even though they acknowledge the turnaround they want more “inclusion”. But quite frankly I have been focused on doing my job and making sure the NGO has a future for the good of its community to bother about schmoozing the board.

What do I do?

Hotandbothered,

NT.

Dear Hotandbothered,

You are nuts! What’s the point of doing good if you are sacked and can’t do good anymore? Huh?? It’s not a matter of schmoozing the board. It is about communicating with the board and keeping them up to date with what you are doing. And you don’t have a choice. They are your board. Their role is to watch out for arrogant buggers like you who may be brilliant but can go off the rails.

And a board is not just a plank of wood (usually). Boards have feelings too. They want to feel involved. They want to have fun. They want to feel they are doing good. And if you are running ahead at a hundred miles an hour slightly contemptuous of the bubbling old board trailing along behind, you will get sacked!

You sound like an older gent who grew up in the Mad Men days. Am I right? Hmm… You like to make decisions and to hell with the rest of us because you know best? Well maybe you do. But let others make that decision. And they can only do that if you keep them informed.

So go back with your tail between your legs and tell them you have seen the error of your ways. Then you will organise a strategy meeting with them to bring them up to date. You will not gloat, be short and pompous but open, friendly… in short, your charming self!

Then you will take them out to lunch and follow up with an email, thanking them for their contribution and noting all the times of your next meetings.

Good luck!
Your Aunty B

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