Board members who are struggling could pose a major threat to the effectiveness and cohesion of the board. While it may be tempting to let the issue go unnoticed, hoping that the person will mend their ways or quit when their term is up but that’s not an effective strategy. It is more likely that the conduct will continue and become more evident, affecting the rest of the board which makes it difficult for them to perform their responsibilities effectively.
One method to deal with difficult board directors is by directly intervention. Invite the person to an interview with the chair or a person they trust and who will listen to them, to discuss the issues that are causing their behavior. Determine what is behind their behavior, for example an uneasy feeling of not being valued or listened to by other board members. It is crucial to have an end goal in the mind of the board member. For example the way they conduct themselves needs to change. This will stop the conversation from turning into an argument or confrontation.
It is usually helpful to bring this issue to the attention of other board members during a group intervention in the event that the person is not brought to heel in a one-on-one discussion. This is a great opportunity for the chairperson to demonstrate that they appreciate everyone’s input and are not afraid to confront difficult behaviour. It is also important to record the comments made in order to inform anyone on any changes when you return to them.
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