It is a common misconception among Chairs that they must do everything themselves. However, the Chair who tries to do it all burns out fast – and wastes valuable opportunities to involve other trustees in board support work. Wise Chairs call on the skills and abilities of their board members, delegating tasks and using their time strategically such as partnering with the Chief Executive to shape the agenda for the Board meeting and liaising with Committee Chairs. By delegating – while monitoring effectively, the Chair can do more for the board. So how can a Chair delegate with confidence?
8 Top tips for Delegation
1. The Chair should get to know every trustee by name
2. The Chair should be clear about what is expected of each board member
3. She or he should be fair, objective, respectful and listen to their views
4. She or he should help the group stay focused on their task – this sometimes calls for fairness
5. The Chair should be tactful and diplomatic. If one trustee has held the floor for too long, the Chair could intervene to let others have a chance to speak.
6. The Chair should remind board members of their higher purpose and work towards balancing their passion for board service with compliance obligations and focusing on strategy.
7. Board members can be motivated if they know their contributions are valued. The Chair enhance the confidence of the Chief Executive, the board and committee members by acknowledging their efforts and relating these back to the organisational goals.
8. An effective Chair can work with fellow board members to establish good practices for recruiting, training and supporting Chairs in years to come. By putting these provisions in place the Chair will leave a lasting legacy that will benefit the organisation long after he or she has stepped down.
