Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast: "Why Your Board Isn’t Aligned (And 3 Moves to Fix It Fast)"

Host: Brooke Richie-Babbage
Release Date: June 24, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Why Your Board Isn’t Aligned (And 3 Moves to Fix It Fast)," Brooke Richie-Babbage delves into the common challenges nonprofit leaders face when dealing with disengaged or misaligned boards. Drawing from her extensive experience as a social justice lawyer, nonprofit founder, and growth strategist, Brooke provides actionable strategies to foster genuine alignment and drive organizational goals effectively.

Understanding the Misalignment

Brooke begins by identifying the symptoms of a misaligned board:

• Lack of Action: Boards may nod in agreement during meetings but fail to act on decisions.
• Disengagement: Some board members may appear disengaged, not participating actively in discussions or fundraising efforts.
• Off-Course Focus: Boards might divert attention to issues outside the organization’s strategic plan.

Quote:
"If your board keeps nodding yes, but acting no, this episode is going to walk you through three practical strategies to get real buy-in for your top priorities so your goals drive action, not just discussion and blank stares."
— Brooke Richie-Babbage [02:30]

Reframing the Problem: Disconnection from the End Goal

Brooke emphasizes that the root cause of board misalignment often lies not in a lack of understanding or care but in a disconnection from the organization's end goals. Even if the strategic planning process was thorough, board members might feel detached from the objectives, leading to ineffective support and advocacy.

Strategy 1: Start with Pain—Connecting Goals to Personal Motivations

Core Idea:
Leverage shared pain points or challenges to connect organizational goals to board members' personal motivations. This approach fosters intrinsic motivation, making board members more invested in achieving the set objectives.

Implementation Steps:

1. Avoid Predetermined Goal Announcements:
   Instead of presenting goals as final, tie them to discussions about shared challenges.

2. Engage in Collaborative Goal Setting:
   When involving the board in goal setting, ask questions like:

   • "What would meaningful progress look like for you this year?"
   • "What changes in our community around this issue are most exciting to you and why?"

3. Integrate Board Feedback:
   Ensure that the final goals reflect the board members' personal "whys." This alignment ensures that goals resonate on a personal level.

Quote:
"Ownership builds buy-in. So for each goal, assign each person on your board a part of that process or a goal to steward."
— Brooke Richie-Babbage [22:15]

Strategy 2: Treat Resistance as Valuable Feedback

Core Idea:
View pushback and resistance from board members not as obstacles but as opportunities to uncover underlying concerns and fears. Understanding these can lead to more effective strategies for alignment.

Implementation Steps:

1. Invite and Welcome Feedback:
   Encourage board members to voice their concerns and questions about goals and processes.

2. Identify Underlying Fears:
   Recognize that resistance often stems from fears about increased workload, unrealistic expectations, or feeling unheard.

3. Address Concerns Proactively:
   Use the feedback to modify implementation strategies rather than altering the goals themselves. This approach maintains the integrity of the objectives while adapting to the board’s needs.

Quote:
"When you invite concern, it doesn't mean you have to open yourself up to and we will change the goal based on what you say. There is a spectrum of inviting insight."
— Brooke Richie-Babbage [18:45]

Strategy 3: Distribute Ownership Early

Core Idea:
Assigning ownership of specific goals or processes to individual board members fosters accountability and personal investment, thereby enhancing buy-in and proactive engagement.

Implementation Steps:

1. Explicit Assignment of Roles:
   Clearly assign each board member a specific part of the goal or process to oversee and steward.

2. Facilitate Ownership Conversations:
   Conduct discussions—either one-on-one or in groups—to determine which aspects each member is passionate about and willing to take responsibility for.

3. Empower through Autonomy:
   Allow board members to shape their work plans and report on their progress, reinforcing their sense of ownership and commitment.

Quote:
"Ownership builds buy-in. So for each goal, assign each person on your board a part of that process or a goal to steward."[22:15]
"Have conversations about which part of the goal or process they want to steward, right? We're sharing ownership of this process."
— Brooke Richie-Babbage [23:05]

Final Insights: Aligning with the North Star

Brooke concludes by reminding listeners that setting goals and creating processes at the board level is about guiding the organization toward its North Star—the overarching mission and vision that unites all members. When faced with board disengagement or misalignment, retreating to this core mission can re-anchor collective efforts and reignite passion.

Quote:
"Go back to the North Star. Go back to this thing, the deepest part of why everybody is sitting around that board table—the mission, the impact, the outcomes they care about—and build out their buy-in from there."
— Brooke Richie-Babbage [27:40]

Additional Resources

Brooke mentions a free 3-part audio micro training called the Board Activation Blueprint for listeners seeking a deeper dive into board engagement and fundraising strategies. This resource offers actionable steps to further activate and align boards with organizational goals.

Conclusion

This episode provides nonprofit leaders with a clear framework to diagnose and address board misalignment. By connecting goals to personal motivations, treating resistance as valuable feedback, and distributing ownership early, organizations can cultivate a board that is not only aligned but also actively engaged in driving mission success.

For more insights and resources, visit brookerichybabbage.com.