Front and center in the news the last few days has been the drama around Elon Musk joining Twitter’s Board of Directors.\u00a0 The controversy has to do primarily with Musk’s alignment (or non-alignment) with the values and culture of the Twitter family.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether your organization is for profit or not-for-profit, it raises an interesting question:\u00a0 What is the role of your Board of Directors?\u00a0 Is it to hold an organization accountable to the stated vision and mission of the organization?\u00a0 Is it to bring to the table alternative ideas that might help inform its direction? Is it to simply manage financial oversight so that investors get a return on their investments?\u00a0 Hold management in check?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More questions follow \u2013 who is responsible for recruiting new Board members?\u00a0 Do we have the right balance of expertise represented? What are the criteria and skills the Board needs to be most effective in meeting its responsibilities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It makes a great deal of sense for the organization and the Board to answer all of these questions before bringing on new members. It is also important that employees understand their roles as well — before chaos ensues, not after.\u00a0 Designing a comprehensive Board orientation, offering ongoing training and looking for opportunities to develop the organization\u2019s culture are all critical factors in helping your Board become effective leaders that make decisions that true to organizational mission and vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many, if not all, of these tasks can be addressed \u2013 and managed — \u00a0by the organization’s public relations staff.\u00a0 It is there that the organization’s relationships, across the board, are considered, monitored and maintained (when possible).\u00a0 When PR provides counsel to the C-suite, it should include paying attention to the make-up and function of the Board.\u00a0 Anticipate issues and avoid a crisis situation by stepping in early –before your organization steps in something much worse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Front and center in the news the last few days has been the drama around Elon Musk joining Twitter’s Board of Directors.\u00a0 The controversy has to do primarily with Musk’s alignment (or non-alignment) with the values and culture of the Twitter family.\u00a0 Whether your organization is for profit or not-for-profit, it raises an interesting question:\u00a0 … <\/p>\n