The Imperfect Board Member

Meet David Slater. He is an ambitious and overcommitted executive who is struggling to lead his business through its first year as a publicly traded company. Of all his challenges, his board of directors is the most frustrating. He thinks everyone else is the problem. But he s ''the imperfect board member.'' Support comes from a most unlikely source¿a fellow director on the board of a community recreational association. As they volunteer together, David discovers the seven disciplines that will enable any board to lead effectively. Presented as a captivating leadership fable, The Imperfect Board Member brings the disappointment and dysfunction of boards to life. The main characters in the story combine the contexts of business, nonprofit, and faith based organizations, making it applicable to boards of every type. David s struggles and the lessons he learns change how he views his role as a board member. You ll delight as he develops the Governance Excellence Model. And you ll see for yourself how any board, and any board member, can add value to the organizations they serve. David s story reveals that while it s vital for board members to bring their skills and knowledge to the table so they are able to perform as a ''smart'' board, it s also imperative that boards be ''healthy.'' A healthy board exhibits the qualities of candor and trust and understands the roles of board and management. To help put these principles and practices into action, the book concludes by reviewing the model, offering tools and tips, and listing resources. The Imperfect Board Member is filled with insight and understanding to help you take the next step to developing a healthy board.