By Lisa Negstad and Karen DeYoung of Negstad Consulting and DeYoung Consulting Services
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| Lisa Negstad | Karen DeYoung |
One of the most important roles of a board of directors is to provide timely, valuable feedback on the executive director’s performance. For many boards, this is a daunting task. Multiple factors can hinder or even derail conducting a productive performance evaluation:
- Unfamiliarity with the organizational director’s day-to-day tasks and execution
- Lack of performance evaluation experience or training
- Limited time to execute a rigorous process
- Managing multiple views on how the evaluation should be conducted
- Difficult relationships between the parties involved
Boards and associations can bring clarity to the process by having an outside presence to offer advice, coach the board chair and executive committee, administer surveys, conduct interviews, and develop a concise report that can be used in ongoing organizational decisions.
Using an approach with supports will save time and leave you with a process that can be replicated in future evaluations. To be certain you have a solid performance evaluation process, you will need:
- Steps tailored to your specific organization
- Facilitators with knowledge of governance and experience with boards
- A commitment to an unbiased, participatory and confidential process
The final feedback and report must show the connection between organizational goals and mission, with clear expectations for the Executive’s role and specific tasks for achieving established goals. Goals and priorities should be results-based.
An additional benefit of getting assistance with the performance review process is obtaining help in how to conduct difficult conversations. The final results of the process should be better communication, not uncomfortable working environments.
About Negstad Consulting and DeYoung Consulting Services
DeYoung Consulting Services and Negstad Consulting are woman-owned, independent consulting businesses specializing in individual, organizational and program development. Karen and Lisa collaborate on services of joint interest and experience. Their Executive Director Performance Evaluation (EDPE) approach brings support, structure, objectivity and respect to help Boards and leadership achieve their mission and goals. For more information, call Lisa Negstad at (612) 618-3511 or Karen DeYoung at 612-336-3755, or visit: http://www.deyoungconsultingservices.com/ or http://negstadconsulting.com/
