It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Preparation is everything, especially when you’re competing at the highest level. You have to be ready for anything.
Simone Biles
I fondly remember the excitement of the start of the new year when I served in an Episcopal school. There was electricity in the air around the potential of a new beginning. How you prepare for any new endeavor is critically important. The time spent in preparation will set the tone for what’s to come. Early in my career, veteran teachers reminded me about the importance of one element of preparing for success in the classroom: clearly defining expectations from day one. It’s always more difficult to modify or add expectations later. Failing to do so is failing to prepare for success.
The same can be said for our governing bodies and their work. Preparation is the key. As I work with school leadership, I wonder if the same amount of energy is spent in preparing for their work in the new year. What are the clear expectations and guidelines that should be in place from the beginning? NAES offers the following questions for consideration as you prepare for a successful year of board leadership.
Does the board understand and embrace Episcopal identity?
The start of the year marks the entrance of new faculty and families into the community. For many, the idea of Episcopal identity can be puzzling and is often misunderstood. The same could be said about both new and returning board members. Our approach is different from other faith-based approaches and care should be taken to accurately describe how Episcopal communities are unique. Returning to the central tenets of what it means to be an Episcopal school will set the tone for the new year. Not only is this critical for new members of the community, it is equally important for returning members to be refreshed on the importance of our shared values and identity. This is a conversation needed early in the year as opposed to later when a difficult challenge presents itself in the boardroom.
We have a responsibility to make sure that board members and all stakeholders understand the tenets of Episcopal identity which inform the mission of the school. To learn more, I recommend this article that explores five ideas for promoting Episcopal identity at the start of the year (also linked in this issue of Network).
Are our committees serving the board well?
As I visit with boards, it’s very common to identify areas for easy growth and improvement at the committee level. Committees like “Finance” and “Facilities” will sometimes have more concrete goals for the upcoming years. Other committees tend to be a bit more fluid in how they identify their work. A key question to ask as you prepare for the new year is: what is the process for setting the goals for each committee of the board? Ideally, the board as a whole sets its annual goals which in turn inform the tactical moves needed by each committee. Those moves are then articulated as committee goals. I like the acronym SMART when setting committee goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). What are the one or two things that each committee needs to accomplish in order to move the work of the board forward? Once identified, each committee can then begin to plan out the year so they can meet and even exceed them.
How will we disagree?
Disagreements are part of life. Susan Carpenter, a researcher and trainer of mediators, believes that, “the open expression of disagreement is natural and necessary in a free society.” That may be true, but it doesn’t make the expression of those disagreements easy to manage. What does help, however, are some very clear understandings about how we will approach disagreements in the boardroom. Our Episcopal identity highlights two central values. First, we are stronger when diverse opinions and perspectives are invited to the table. As a Church, we have always allowed space for opposing viewpoints. Second, as children of God, we are called to respect the inherent dignity and worth of all people. That sets an understanding for what is permissible and impermissible in the expression of disagreement.
I have no doubt that these two values will be challenged as we enter into a heated presidential election cycle. A key question is, have we drafted a “covenant of conduct” or other document that establishes how we will function in the midst of disagreement? This is also an excellent question for the community as a whole? Are policies in place to ensure that the values of our Episcopal identity are also community expectations? If you are interested in learning more about this, I recommend this webinar that we hosted on the topic last spring.
During the season of the Olympics, I always enjoy hearing the stories behind the success of the athletes. The common denominator is preparation. Beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings reminds us that, “Preparation is everything. You can’t cheat the grind, it knows how much you’ve invested.”
Invest the preparation dollars now so you can enjoy the gold medal down the road!