By Duane Brown
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October 15, 2025
10 Signs Your NonProfit Board May Be The Root Cause Of Your Organizational Dysfunction Part 1 By Duane E. Brown, Ph.D We like to lay blame on the CEO and/or staff for the dysfunction within non-profits. However, the time has come to begin to lay blame at the root of the leadership, or lack of it, by the board of directors. Not one of the following signs may alone be a major issue. Yet, if you see one of these signs I bet you can find many others. Here are 10 signs your nonprofit board is a root cause of your nonprofit's dysfunction. 1 . Constant staff leadership turnover at the top. When your CEOs or executive directors keep leaving for greener pastures, are angry, or burned out, look at the relationship the leaders had with the board. In this root cause, the board is often difficult to please, mired in politicization, micromanaging, or offering an unfair compensation plan. 2. The organization lacks clear vision and a written strategy. If your nonprofit lacks vision and a written strategy that is public, blame the board not the CEO. The board has a major part to play ensuring the CEO has these documents in place and that they are being implemented. These should be regularly communicated to the staff and key aspects of the 3. The CEO is weak or mired in internal conflicts with staff. When you have an ineffective leader at the helm, and s/he continues, the fault lies with the board for choosing the wrong leader or allowing an ineffective leader to continue unchecked. This dysfunction works its way throughout the organization, no matter how large or small. Subordinates quickly exit the toxicity caused by this weak leader. 4. Board members never leave. Board members serving for decades is unhealthy. In rare situations you will find long term board members who are effective in their roles. Boards that don’t make room for new members don’t make room for fresh ideas, new money, and new relationships. 5. Longstanding dysfunctional culture. Boards are responsible for the health of a culture. Their roles is not simply financial. If you have a toxic organizational culture, look first to the board. You will discover a board that is not involved in creating a healthy culture, not holding the CEO responsible for “fixing” the staff culture. Stay tuned for Part 2
