Leading Strategic Change Through Educating and Empowering Boards

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Leading Strategic Change Through Educating and
Empowering Boards

• PDI 2005 Spring Conference
• LaDene H. Bowen, CEcD
• Institute for Decision Making
• University of Northern Iowa

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Changing Times Demand EDC Organizations that are

• Able to innovate/lead change
• Fast learning
• Flexible
• Focused and disciplined
• Knowledgeable about the world and themselves

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Innovation

• Creativity
• Strategic Change Initiatives

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Barriers to Leading Strategic Change Successfully

• Scarce Resources
• Day-to-day demands
• Psychological resistance

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The Governing Gold Standard

• High stakes involved in strategic change
• Board members are uniquely qualified to
  contribute
• Experience
• Knowledge
• Expertise
• Perspectives
• Networks

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Who is on the Bus?

• How are Board members recruited?
• What is the appropriate size for the Board of
  Directors?

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Are They In the Right Seats?

• Are we assuming Board members are committed?
• How and what are they (collectively and
  individually) contributing?

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Who is Really Driving the Bus?

• Is everyone in charge or no one?
• What about Orientation?

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Board of Directors Self Assessment

• Knowledge, strength or interest
• Primary leadership skill sets
• Apply to the economic development organization
• Key influencer contacts

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Roles and Responsibilities Self Assessment

• Observations
• (individually and collectively)
• Most important and should be enduring for Board
  of Directors
• Responsibilities that need to be strengthened

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The Challenge of TTTKIA

• A productive Board is a well-informed Board
• Do they know what economic development is?
• Disguise it - Training, training, training

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Whats Happening on the Trip?

• What is the relationship between the Board and
  the Economic Development Executive?
• Whos in charge of the map?
• Whats going on at the Board meetings?

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How Do We Survive the Journey?

• Follow the rules
• Take time to listen
• Keep promises
• Insist on good communications
• Respect ideas
• Stay on task
• Defend staff, fight for benefits

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More Tips on Surviving

• Accept blame for staff
• Give full credit to others
• Criticize in private
• Return phone calls/emails within 24
• Do not pretend to be the total expert
• Write personal letters/notes
• Know how to dress where when

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More Tips on Surviving

• Know how to introduce people correctly
• Pick up the tab when its appropriate
• Dont bring your personal problems to the job
• Be able to handle money
• Do not confuse the Board Chair

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More Tips on Surviving

• Losing interest in the jobmove on
• Be able to juggle 3, 4, 5balls
• Ensure there are no surprises
• Be able to organize strategic change

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Leading Strategic Change Focuses on

• Strategic Framework
• Vision, Values, Mission
• Investing in strategic change initiatives
• (change challenges based on strategic issues)
• Strategic change portfolio management

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Contact Information

• LaDene H. Bowen, CEcD
• Senior Project Manager
• Institute for Decision Making
• Business and Community Services
• University of Northern Iowa
• www.bcs.uni.edu/idm
• Ladene.bowen_at_uni.edu