When Staff Complain Directly to Your Board

A staff member unhappy with one of your decisions skips you and goes straight to the board chair. If the chair entertains it, your ability to lead takes a hit that is very hard to repair.

In this episode I share when this happened to me as a chief executive, as well as what I've learned about responding in a way that strengthens the organization's effectiveness and my leadership. I also cover four ways to future-proof your organization, from a written plan with your board chair to a validated staff engagement survey, and four traps that look like solutions but aren't.

Chapters:

00:00 When staff go around you to the board

01:24 The three moments it tends to happen

02:38 The first time: brought in to right the ship

05:47 The call on the last night of the conference

09:34 The second time, and my resignation

10:46 The third time, as an interim executive director

15:09 Three meetings to repair the damage

20:37 Four ways to future-proof your organization

26:07 Four traps that look like solutions