Asking Questions
Below is an update of a column published in The News Tribune on September 18, 2002.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the need for board members to speak up. This created a bit of a stir. Calls came in asking if it was their organization of which I was writing. The answer was always no. No one from the group I had in mind called or wrote. Either they don’t read the column or they didn’t see themselves in it.
Now I know we’re talking about human nature, and some things will never change. But I also believe that well-meaning people can welcome questions and appropriately presented concerns. I use those words intentionally because I am not advocating that all board members become chronic complainers. That approach accomplishes nothing except to increase frustration levels. Of course I’m not going to reveal any identities, but it is interesting that so many saw this as a problem in their own organization. Several pointed out that it is no fun being the one who speaks up. One person even said he is going to resign from his board because he’s tired of being put down for speaking up.
For those of you who are questioners, my challenge to you is to ask at your next meeting how the rest of your board would like to have concerns and questions brought up. You might want to ask if there are less threatening or confrontational words or inflections you could use. How something is said is as important sometimes as what is said. So here are a couple of challenges. If you’re a no-confrontation person, I challenge you to bring up a discussion at your next board meeting of how you could, as a group, make room for questions and concerns without negativism or defensiveness becoming part of the discussion.
And then, several months later, take the time to assess whether important questions are being asked that weren’t asked before? I hope this makes a positive difference in your board deliberations.
