Leadership Matters April 2014 1

Coping with ‘BBB’ (Bad Board Behavior)

I recently listened to a podcast by Michael Hyatt, titled “What to do if you work for a bad boss.” I considered how his message applied to the context of school leaders who are confronted

Superintendent Dr. Thomas

Bertrand, Rochester CUSD 3A

with the bad behavior of boards of education or of individual board members. I have been blessed with good boards of education over my career with members who understood their roles and avoided being “disagreeable” when they disagreed with one another or with me about an issue. Yet, I routinely hear from colleagues who are struggling with how to deal with bad board behavior. Reflection on the five questions that follow may serve as a first step towards coping with challenging boards and board members.

may come completely unprepared for the meeting. It is important to acknowledge this reality and to give board members the benefit of the doubt. You have to manage your expectations, and then set attainable goals pertaining to the issues that you actually have control over. How is “bad behavior” impacting you and your team? When boards are behaving badly, you must determine the effect that it is having on you and your administrative team. Are members micro-managing daily operations of the district to the point that you can’t function effectively? Are board members abusive or combative, or are they simply not engaged in the business of the board? Each of these situations may require a different response.

Do you have realistic expectations for your board and its members? We are often idealistic in that we know how good boards are supposed to function. Yet, we sometimes create an unrealistic set of expectations that individual board members or a board cannot meet. Remember, each board member comes to the table armed with their vision or agenda for what they think the district does or does not need. In some cases members have no training and have not read a single leadership book. Remember, too, that board members often struggle with their own personal history, school experiences, fears, and weaknesses. They are dealing with pressures from family, friends, co- workers and others who may expect more from them than they can give. Just like us, board members also have good and bad days. Some board meetings they are well read and prepared, and at other times they

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