Conduct an annual performance review
15.12.2021
The organizational leader deserves to know how he or she is doing. Normal board feedback can feel ambiguous. But the process differs according to type of board.
Managing boards will conduct a performance appraisal like how it is done in well-managed businesses. The full board, or one of the board members, will meet with the organizational leader to establish expectations and performance standards or goals. The board will provide feedback along the way during the rest of the year. At the appointed time, the board will measure actual performance and compare this with the standards or goals. If done well, the board will ask the organizational leader to self-assess and then discuss where they agree or disagree. Together, they will come up with corrective measures and plans for moving forward. The goal is professional growth and performance improvement.
Governing boards have delegated management and do not want to supervise the organizational leader. Instead, they want to provide encouragement and accountability. Accordingly, governing boards do not focus on individual performance of the organizational leader, but on the performance of the organization. Specifically, they will want to know what progress has been made on organizational ends over the past year and what limitations policies have been exceeded. If annual goals were set together the year before, the board may review those as a part of the progress toward achieving organizational results. Some may also want to ensure that the organizational leader has a plan for professional development. They should not decide the plan or approve it. They should simply make sure a plan is in place and funding for it is in the budget.
