Should boards support the Executive Director or hold them accountable?
The answer is simply, “Yes.”
This is one of the most misunderstood dynamics in nonprofit governance. Too many boards think support and accountability are opposites. They’re not.
Supportive boards without accountability:
→ Avoid hard conversations
→ Let performance issues fester
→ Confuse kindness with effective leadership
→ Put the ED in a position where problems compound over time
Accountable boards without support:
→ Micromanage
→ Second-guess every decision
→ Create impossible standards
→ Burn out even great EDs
Healthy boards do both. They support by:
→ Providing clear expectations
→ Celebrating wins publicly
→ Offering resources for growth
→ Protecting the ED from board overreach
They hold accountable by:
→ Conducting regular evaluations
→ Addressing concerns early and directly
→ Tying performance to strategic goals
→ Having the courage to make hard calls when needed
Here’s the key:
Accountability without support feels like punishment.
Support without accountability becomes negligence.
Great boards do the harder work of integrating both. They create an environment where:
→ The ED knows exactly what success looks like
→ Feedback is regular, not just annual
→ Support is tangible, not just verbal
→ Hard conversations happen before they become crises
That balance isn’t easy. But it’s essential. Because when the board–ED relationship is healthy, the organization thrives.
