Leading Together: The Magic of Shared Governance
Highlight Notes from a Keynote by Craig Freshley at the IPGA Annual Conference in Vancouver on June 19, 2015
Why lead as part of a leadership group?
– With many people in the group you can fill gaps in expertise and abilities
– Way more acumen and knowledge and acumen among a group
– More fun!
– Better buy in for decisions so implementation goes more smoothly
Why lead alone?
– Sometimes it just takes one person to drive the process
Challenges with group leadership
– Confusion of responsibility
– Takes longer than making decisions alone
– Occasionally groups don’t work together effectively
Key ingredients for shared governance done right
– Understand and support the group mission
– Goals of the organization clarified
– Agreement about the desired result
– Clarity on the process
– Set ground rules up front
– Clarify roles
– Build trust
– Mutual accountability
– Call it out when practice is out of line policy
– Establish accountability practices first, before there are problems
– Suspend judgment
– Everyone has the same information
– Get information that is otherwise lacking
– Individual voices first, then consensus
– Self assessment and monitoring
Key characteristics of leaders who facilitate shared governance
– The ability to keep ego in check
– Not about pay grade, title, charisma
– Creative but with support
– Capacity to lead
– Personality
– Skills
– Good listener
– Looks for opportunities
– Looks for creative solutions and problem solving
– Directing – makes decisions – balanced with listening
– Equity of voice
– Bring the right people to the table
– Respects differing views
Ground Rules that Craig used at the Teens to Trails Retreat
(at Flagstaff Hut, on Flagstaff Lake, in Maine, in March!)
– For the good of the organization as a whole
– All views heard
– Be recognized to speak
– Contributions equally welcome from Board and staff
– Board members vote
– Listen to understand
– In the spirit of shared problem solving
– Show us where you stand
– Group time for group stuff
– Flexible agenda
– Themes and conclusions now and later
– Neutral and confidential facilitation and reporting
– Have fun!
My hope for you is that you lead together, done right, and change the world for the better.
Thanks for inviting me to work with you.
– Craig
