Over the years, we’ve worked with all kinds of boards—large and small, brand-new and decades-old, energized and stagnant. And while every board has its own rhythm and personality, there’s one question that comes up again and again:
How do we build a healthy board?
Sometimes it’s asked with a sense of urgency—when something is clearly off. Other times, it’s more of a quiet wondering, surfacing in between conversations about bylaws and strategic plans. A sense that things could be more unified, more purposeful.
And that instinct is right. A healthy board isn’t just a group of people fulfilling legal duties. It’s a part of an organization’s ecosystem. When it’s working well, it brings clarity, momentum, and a deep sense of shared meaning.. When it’s not, even the best ideas can get stuck.
So what does board health look like? Let’s talk about what it means to cultivate a healthy board—not just build or manage one, but tend to it like you would a garden: with intention, curiosity, and care.
Beyond Functioning: What “Healthy” Really Means
It’s easy to think of board effectiveness in terms of functioning: Are there enough members? Are meetings happening on time? Are minutes being approved? These things matter, of course. But they’re the floor—not the ceiling.
A truly healthy board is one where there’s clarity around mission and roles, and a culture that supports honest conversation and shared growth.
We’ve found that healthy boards tend to embody a few key qualities:
- Shared understanding of purpose. Everyone knows why they’re there—not just to steward the finances, but to actively support the nonprofit’s mission and impact.
- Clarity in roles and expectations. Board members understand what’s expected of them, how decisions are made, and where they fit into the larger picture.
- Thoughtful processes. Meetings are structured but not rigid, communication is consistent, and there are ways to pause and reflect on what’s working and what’s not.
- Strong relationships. There’s trust between the board and management. There’s respect. People feel heard, seen, and valued—not just as professionals, but as humans.
These elements work together like the parts of a garden: purpose as the soil, clarity as the structure, process as the water system, relationships as the light. When they’re in balance, the board grows stronger, more resilient, and more capable of helping the organization navigate both calm and stormy seasons.
When Things Feel Out of Sync
Of course, even the healthiest boards hit rough patches. Maybe there’s been some turnover. Maybe meetings start to feel disconnected or only a few voices are carrying most of the conversation. Maybe there’s tension beneath the surface that no one quite knows how to name. These moments can feel uncomfortable—but they’re also opportunities – signals that something needs attention, care, or rebalancing.
In our experience, many board challenges stem from misalignment in just a few core areas:
- Unclear or unspoken goals. Board members may have different assumptions about what they’re working toward—or how progress is defined.
- Blurry boundaries. Without clear roles, it’s easy to drift into micromanagement or disengagement.
- Inconsistent practices. When there’s no shared rhythm—decision-making, feedback, onboarding—it’s hard to build momentum when these things are out of sync.
- Frayed trust. If relationships aren’t nurtured, communication can become cautious, reactive, or strained.
The good news? All of these things can shift. And often, it doesn’t take a complete overhaul—just a willingness to pause, ask better questions, and start rebuilding together.
Starting the Conversation
If you’re sensing that your board could use a little tending, here are a few gentle places to begin:
- Return to purpose. Revisit your mission together—not just the words on the website, but what it means to each person around the table. Why are we here? Who do we serve? What does impact look like now?
- Name what’s working. Before jumping into, strategy mode, take time to acknowledge what’s going well. What do we appreciate about our work together? What strengths can we build on?
- Get curious about roles. Invite board members to reflect on what they bring to the table—and where they might feel unsure. Do we have shared expectations? Do people feel equipped and supported?
- Look at the “how.” Think about the rhythms and practices of the board: How are meetings structured? How are decisions made? How is feedback welcomed?
- Make space for relationships. Trust doesn’t happen by accident. Build time for connection—before meetings, through retreats, or simply by encouraging more human conversations.
What a Healthy Board Feels Like
A healthy board doesn’t mean everyone agrees all the time or that meetings are always smooth. But there’s energy. There’s care. There’s movement.
Healthy boards tend to:
- Stay connected to the mission—not just in theory, but in how they spend their time and make decisions.
- Invest in learning and growth, both individually and as a group.
- Create space for honesty and vulnerability.
- Adapt as the organization and community change.
- And lead with curiosity rather than control.
This Work Takes Time
Board health is a practice. Like any relationship, it needs attention, flexibility, and care. There will be seasons of ease and seasons of stretch. That’s normal. That’s part of the work.
What matters most is the intention you bring to it—the willingness to grow together, stay rooted in purpose, and create the kind of board culture that can carry your organization forward.
So, if your board is in a season of reflection, or feeling a little stuck, know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to start the conversation.
And we’re always here to help – just call us.
