Author Archive for: ksmith

Entries by Kevin Smith

Redefine “Efficiency”

Many fall into the trap of chasing efficiency too hard and to the overall detriment of the organization. This is often enabled by the board. Efficiency does not mean running at the edge of collapse. Board members can be asking questions to encourage the productive health of the team rather than chasing a ratio as […]

Diversity Gains on the Board

By Kevin Smith “Companies appear to be discovering that a big talent pool of nonwhite people and women for board seats does, in fact, exist. Some, like Dr. Hammond, have been hiding in plain sight.” Board Diversity Increased in 2021. Some Ask What Took So Long Peter Eavis, New York Times, January 3, 2022 https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/business/corporate-board-diversity.html?referringSource=articleShare […]

“Just a Volunteer”

  “Just A Volunteer” or Perhaps There’s a Case for Paying CU Board Members Sometimes the “just a volunteer” attitude can get in the way of the level of work required on the board of a credit union. This a position with legal levels of authority and it should not be undervalued. Some credit unions […]

Bullying in the Boardroom

  Bullying in the boardroom can take a variety of forms, but none of them are acceptable. Yet in an environment where no one is the “boss” it can be difficult to control this behavior. Directors have a variety of tools to use to counter the bully including written policy and parliamentary procedures, among others. […]

Engagement on the Board (and Committees)

When there’s no boss in a group of peers, and there’s no paycheck tied to performance, how do you maintain engagement on the board (and committees)? Peer directors must hold each other accountable for the work that they do. But the real key is making sure that the work is meaningful and participants understand the […]

Aligning your Purpose

Organizations driven by a clear purpose enjoy many benefits over those that don’t. Credit unions have this kind of purpose baked into our DNA but often it’s not clear enough, or it doesn’t reach everyone. Aligning towards the purpose of changing people’s lives through is a powerful engine that can move mountains. By Kevin Smith […]

Positive Friction in the Boardroom: Sand Before You Paint

  Being “too polite” in the boardroom makes for great collegiality and esprit de corps, but can hold back the overall effectiveness of the group and therefore the organization. With a little bit of intention and some thoughtful approaches you can have a positive friction in the boardroom that that leads to higher performance. Reaching […]

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