A seat on any board of directors – nonprofit, private, or publicly traded – comes with significant responsibilities. But let’s face it: While some board members make a lasting impact, others fall flat.
So, what separates truly impactful board members from the rest?
Michael Corley, a leading governance advisor and host of the I 501(c) You podcast, tackled this very question during a recent ATLAS Leadership Series webinar. In the session, he shared:
- 5 key habits that distinguish high-impact board members
- Practical ways to contribute more strategically and confidently
- How to extend your influence beyond the boardroom to advance your organization’s mission
Read on for key takeaways from this engaging discussion.
Serving on a Board is an Honor
Only a small percentage of people will ever be invited to serve on a board. As Michael put it, “It’s an honor, it’s a privilege, and it’s really important work.”
It’s easy to lose sight of this once you’re in the thick of meetings, agendas, and oversight. But Michael noted that keeping this perspective can elevate your presence and make you a more impactful contributor.
“If we go in with that mindset, it will elevate our game and our presence and it’ll give us an opportunity to be even more impactful,” he said.
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It's Not Easy Being a Board Member
There’s a lot expected from board members. They’re charged with setting an organization’s mission, strategy, and goals, while also ensuring compliance, ethical conduct, and financial stability. In short, they serve as fiduciaries, guiding the organization’s long-term direction and sustainability.
But the role isn’t easy. Few receive formal training, and most learn on the job. Since they’re not in the office every day, many lack close relationships with their colleagues or a deep understanding of the organization’s daily realities.
As Michael put it: “They are the bosses who show up to work a few hours a month, and yet, they’re expected to do all those things. But they’re not there to understand the depth of the organization. It’s a real conundrum.”
This disconnect can create dysfunction. But it doesn’t have to. Michael emphasized that, with commitment and intentionality, board members can rise to the challenge and become truly high-performing leaders.
There Are 5 Key Habits of Highly Effective Board Members
What exactly does it mean to be an effective board member? According to Michael, high-performing board members are those who actively contribute to the organization through strategic thinking, sound governance, and meaningful engagement. They understand their roles, collaborate with their peers, and support the CEO or executive director in moving the organization forward.
Highly effective board members also honor their fiduciary duties:
- Duty of care: Prepare, participate, and protect
- Duty of loyalty: Act in the organization’s best interest
- Duty of obedience: Upload the mission, bylaws, and law
“These are important because they define the responsibilities of a board member,” Michael said.
With that foundation in mind, Michael outlined 5 habits that distinguish the most effective board members.
1. Show up prepared
This might seem obvious, but it’s an area where many board members fall short. Effective members read materials beforehand, review financials, and come to meetings ready to engage.
“Log into the board portal,” Michael advised. “The CEO or [Executive Director] knows if you don’t.”
2. Stay Mission-Focused
High-performing board members let the mission guide every decision. That means avoiding personal bias, micromanagement, or “mission creep.”
As Michael warned, “You will always have one or two board members who think you should do something that’s not within the mission. Stay focused.”
3. Ask Strategic Questions
Rather than getting lost in operational details, effective board members keep the conversation big-picture by asking questions like:
- Are we staying true to our mission, and is it relevant today?
- How do our current programs align with strategic priorities?
- What social, political, or economic trends affect our work?
- Are we listening to our stakeholders?
“You have the right to know what’s happening in the organization,” Michael said. “But you don’t have the knowledge to get into operations. That’s not the job of the board member.”
4. Stay engaged between meetings
Board service doesn’t stop when the meeting ends. Attending events, responding to communications, and building relationships all matter. Consistent engagement shows commitment and makes collaboration easier.
5. Treat Governance as an Ongoing Practice
Governance isn’t “one-and-done.” It requires continual learning, recruiting strong new members, supporting and evaluating the CEO, and protecting assets.
“The more you do it, the easier it gets,” Michael said.
Habits to Avoid
Just as the most effective board members share common traits, so do the least effective ones. As Michael put it, “Some of us learn by seeing the habits we don’t want to emulate.”
Ineffective board members often:
- Don’t show up consistently
- Fail to prepare
- Dominate or disrupt
- Rubber-stamp everything
- Micromanage staff
- Ignore fiduciary duty
- Disengage from the mission
- Resist change
- Damage the organization’s reputation
Michael’s advice was simple: “Don’t be the board member that exhibits these nine characteristics.”
Superstar Board Members Go Above and Beyond
Being an effective board member is the baseline. But superstar board members elevate their service by deepening their commitment, expanding their influence, and supporting their organization in meaningful ways.
Michael outlined the following habits of superstar board members.
Understanding Governance
Read the articles of incorporation and bylaws at least once a year. “It may be boring, but it’s very important,” Michael said. “If you understand the organizational structure, you can offer input and make changes if necessary.”
Step into Leadership
Chairing a committee or serving as an officer is one of the best ways to grow as a leader. “You’re doing real-time leadership in an unfamiliar environment,” Michael explained. “By being a leader in that organization, you can grow your leadership skills.”
Acting as an Ambassador
Let friends and colleagues know you’re on the board. Often, people will join a board because of their relationships. Proudly wear your board badge at events and spread the word.
Giving Personally
“Making a personal contribution shows that you believe in the organization,” Michael said. “Funders also ask if you have 100% board participation.”
Recruiting New Members
The board itself is responsible for bringing in strong new directors. “They should be actively recruiting people to join their boards,” Michael said.
Introducing Donors
Connect potential funders with the CEO, executive director, or development leader. As Corley noted, “Nonprofits operate through connections.”
Supporting the CEO
Be a trusted sounding board. “It’s an interesting relationship because you’re their boss,” Michael said. “But the CEO is in a challenging position, and they need someone to bounce ideas off. Support them so they can make better decisions and drive the organization forward.”
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About The Author
- Adam Wire is a Content Marketing Manager at OnBoard who joined the company in 2021. A Ball State University graduate, Adam worked in various content marketing roles at Angi, USA Football, and Adult & Child Health following a 12-year career in newspapers. His favorite part of the job is problem-solving and helping teammates achieve their goals. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two dogs. He’s an avid sports fan and foodie who also enjoys lawn and yard work and running.
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