How to Deal with Board Conflict

It happens. Just about every board will have some form of conflict from time to time. Whether it is two members butting heads or tension with the executive director, resolving conflict is a key skill that a board must develop and execute well. Learn what you should keep in mind when dealing with conflict on a board.

1. Stop blaming others and share the responsibility: It’s easy to try to pass the blame onto someone else, but Board Source stresses the importance of sharing the responsibility of any conflict that arises. Every member should assess what role they may have in the conflict and how they can help solve it. The board is a team, and everyone has a role to play.
2. Clarify roles: Another great way to move through conflict is to re-clarify everyone’s roles. E. Grant McDonald Explains in Managing Board Conflict that doing this may help solve issues where tasks overlap and cause conflict. This may also help members understand what role they play in the resolution.
3. Conduct self-assessment: Self-assessments are a great way to get a sense of how everyone is feeling. Mission Box suggests that a simple questionnaire can allow members to reflect on themselves and how they think the board is operating. This may be a great way to get to the root of the issue.
4. Put your mission at the center of conflict resolution: Board Source explains that it is easy to get lost in individual perspectives. If you find your board in a place of conflict, remember your organization’s mission as you move forward. By centering the mission, you are placing the board and the organization above ego and personal interest and emphasizing a shared interest that should bring everyone back together.
5. Celebrate conflict resolution: Grant McDonald suggests in Managing Board Conflict that you should celebrate when you move on from a conflict. Grab lunch or go out for happy hour and spend some time socializing and having fun with your board. Taking this time can help strengthen your board’s bond following tension.

Conflict is never easy. It may be uncomfortable, but it will ultimately help your board communicate more effectively. When conflict arises, take a breath, and move through it with respect and compassion. It will ultimately help your board be better.