In preparation for some planning work I’m doing with a client I have been brushing up on best practices related to board development. As part of my research I’ve been reading, “Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards,” written by researchers Richard P. Chait, William P. Ryan, and Barbara E. Taylor and published by BoardSource.

I highly recommend this refreshing, down to earth book, which is based upon the results of a national research initiative funded by BoardSource. “Governance as Leadership” confirms what I’ve long suspected, which is that when an organization’s board is not functioning well it is likely to be the result of a governance problem rather than the fault of lazy, disengaged, or ineffectual board members. This book brings a new perspective to the traditional fiduciary and strategic work of boards and introduces a critical third dimension of effective trusteeship: generative governance. A must read!

Filed under: Reviews by Dedee Wilner-Nugent on December 10, 2009