It is a truism that the most talented teams do not always come out on top.

Often, the team that “claims the prize” is one whose members support each other, utilize one other’s strengths, and minimize weaknesses. As Michael Jordan – who knows something about teams and teamwork – succinctly said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”

As with sports teams, school boards are comprised of talented people. Yet, too often boards do not reach their potential because members do not work together as a team. A team is a cohesive group of individuals with diverse skill sets and shared objectives, working interdependently and collaboratively to achieve a common goal or mission.

A highly effective board includes individuals with varying skill sets and perspectives who all work towards the same goals for the school. Each person is appreciated for what they contribute to solving a problem or crafting a plan. It is the mix of talents engaging in important work that makes for a board that functions as a great team.

All boards that want to act as an effective team should create a board playbook. The playbook should be devised by the board – ideally in an annual board retreat – and should include the following elements:

  • The purpose of the board: The purpose should be important and specific enough to be able to measure progress.
  • Board norms: The norms include behaviors expected by all board members before, during, and after meetings.
  • A means to track deliverables: When an assignment or task is assigned to a board member or board committee, it should be recorded and accessible by the entire board in order to monitor the task and the progress made towards accomplishing it. The deliverables should be reviewed regularly.
  • A common repository for important board documents: Every board needs an online storage folder where all important board documents are accessible.
  • An annual calendar: Much work of the board occurs on a regular basis. Capturing and relaying when that work will be done helps create an effective board team.
  • Feedback: It is imperative to have a clear plan to offer the head of school feedback at least annually, if not semiannually.
  • Goals: Establish a process to set and evaluate annual board and head of school goals.
  • Self-evaluation: The board playbook should include a plan for evaluating the work – and teamwork – of the board. It is challenging to improve the board’s teamwork if the current state of the work is not addressed. At least quarterly, the board should have a discussion as to how it is operating as a team.

As Marty Moran, former CEO of Chipotle, once said, “The most powerful tool any leader has is a team that is at its best.” Your school and your head will thrive if the board is at its very best. Work towards becoming a great team.  

Want to learn more? Join us for the second installment of our Trustee Education Series, November 12, 2024, 5:00-6:00 PM Eastern as we discuss the auditing landscape for nonprofits.

And, don’t miss the SAIS Board/Head Workshop, which meets in person October 20, 2024, in Charlotte, NC.