Articles about the Relationship Model™

eBooks are the only way to go! No, they aren’t! I want to hold a paper book in my hands! There seems to be a lot of passion around books.  From the first Middle Eastern codices to the printed books on Gutenberg’s movable type press, the paper book has a long and highly valued history.  […]

You Asked Question:  At our Board meeting last week one of the Board members let me have it right in front of the rest of the Board.  Was he ever angry!   I’m the Chairman, but I just didn’t know how to deal with it.  I just let him go on, but it really spoiled the […]

Imagine that the discussion on a motion has finished and the Board Chair calls the question.  “Who’s in favor?”  Some hands go up, some don’t.  Some seem to mumble assent.  You aren’t sure if this is a vote or if it’s an expression of consensus.  It appears to be somewhere in between, but no one […]

Question:  Recently I have begun to feel uncomfortable with the closed sessions our Board of Directors has been having.  Our Board Chair has now suggested that we have a closed session at every meeting without the CEO or any staff present.  The Board agreed to go along with the Chair, but I don’t think I’m […]

Policy Governance Mode (PGM) / Relationship Model (RM) by Les Stahlke Here are some comparisons between John Carver’s work and mine.  First, let me say that I cut my eye teeth on the “Carver Model” in 1989 when he wrote his first book and I was transitioning out of leadership of a mission which I […]

Question:  Our Board of Directors made what I consider to be a very poor decision.  It led to the resignation of our Board Chair, although even the Board acknowledged that she did nothing wrong.  It’s just that the whole thing was handled poorly, particularly how the Board treated her.  I have challenged the Board about […]

Imagine that your Board is faced with an unexpected crisis.  The crisis may have been avoided had the Board acted definitively several months sooner.  But everyone is busy with his/her own work and life.  You have heard it several times already and have even thought it yourself.  “We’re only volunteers?  What do people expect?” “We’re […]

You Asked Question:  We seem to be have some “leaks” of information from our Board.  It’s causing some controversy among our board members.  What is your opinion on the obligation for board members to keep the business of the board confidential? Answer:  There will always be some discussion, debate and differences of opinion that are […]

Imagine that your board has just finished a long, involved and somewhat heated discussion on a matter of strategic importance.  The board seems divided on whether the organization should take the opportunity of expansion or whether the new initiative should be delayed.  At the heart of the issue is the degree of risk that board […]

Imagine that you are having a quick lunch by yourself in a crowded café.  Seated at a table next to yours are two men in heated debate that is animated to put it mildly.  You can’t avoid being distracted by their conversation, particularly when you hear the words “board chair” in the conversation.  At that […]