One of the most essential skills for a Board Chair is the ability to manage difficult Trustee dynamics with confidence, clarity, and composure.

In this session, we will focus on managing difficult dynamics with Trustees. The emphasis will be on practice, using specific and common scenarios. Come ready to dive in and role play!

What to do when there is a breach of confidentiality? What about Trustees who are speaking negatively about the Board or particular administrators? What about someone who isn’t prepared, or dominates the conversation in an unhelpful way?

In these contexts, how do you hold Trustees accountable, set clear expectations, and also maintain relationships? We will draw on concepts such as difficult conversations, giving effective feedback, and managing your own conflict tendencies. We will not focus on the theory behind these approaches, but rather on practical tips and approaches.

Facilitated by Gillien Todd, Executive Coach, Havard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and Lecturer at Harvard Law School and Harvard Graduate School of Education