In this episode of Build Better Boards, host Mitch Majeski is joined by Dr. Keri Jacobs and Richard Fagerlin to identify and unpack five common behaviors that derail board effectiveness. They explore how these patterns show up in the boardroom and offer practical ways directors can self-assess and adjust.

• The vocal minority is the board member who persistently raises the same issue, often driven by personal passion rather than board-wide relevance. This can stall discussions and frustrate fellow directors.

• The silent majority refers to directors who observe but rarely contribute, often withholding questions or perspectives due to discomfort or deference to more vocal members.

• The personal agenda player brings forward issues that serve a specific interest, such as their own region or external influence, rather than the entire cooperative.

• The disruptor introduces conflict or derails conversations, sometimes intentionally or as a reaction to internal or external stress. This behavior can be confused with healthy dissent if not examined carefully.

• The checked-out director appears disengaged or uninterested, which may be a result of fatigue, frustration, or the compounding effect of the other four behaviors.

Follow Build Better Boards on LinkedIn for updates. Find show notes and transcripts at buildbetterboards.com/podcast.

In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Mitch Majeski, Dr. Keri Jacobs, and Richard Fagerlin dive into little g governance—the behaviors and culture that shape a board’s effectiveness. While big G sets the structure with bylaws and policies, little g determines how well a board actually functions.

• Big G vs. little g: Structure matters, but so does boardroom culture. Healthy boards balance trust, curiosity, and meaningful discussion.
• Creating a Strong Culture: Boards thrive when members feel safe to challenge ideas, ask questions, and engage fully.
• Practical First Steps: Define your ideal board culture, identify what’s holding you back, and commit to better boardroom behaviors.

Follow Build Better Boards on LinkedIn for updates. Find show notes and transcripts at buildbetterboards.com/podcast.

In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Mitch Majeski, Dr. Keri Jacobs, and Richard Fagerlin tackle "Big G" governance—bylaws and structures that define co-op boards. They discuss future-proofing through strategic updates and board selection.

• Big G & Little G: Big G is formal structure (bylaws, policies); Little G is board culture. Both matter.
• Bylaw Checkup: Regularly review bylaws to match today’s needs—think virtual meetings or outdated rules.
• Board Recruitment: Shift to ongoing, diverse talent scouting, not just last-minute fills.
• Member Voice: Honor co-op roots with two-way communication, not just top-down updates.
• Quick Start: Richard says mark up bylaws with a four-color pen; Keri stresses strategic meeting focus.

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In this episode ofBuild Better Boards, hosts Mitch Majeski, Dr. Keri Jacobs, and Richard Fagerlin explore the future of cooperatives and the evolving role of member engagement. They discuss whether co-ops are running on "member engagement fumes" and what boards can do to ensure long-term relevance and loyalty.

• Member Engagement as an Asset: Engagement is not just about board elections. It is a strategic asset that must be nurtured, just like financial and physical assets.
• Defining Loyalty: Loyalty to a co-op has shifted over generations. What does it mean today, and how can boards build a compelling value proposition that keeps members engaged?
• The Power of Asking: Boards and leadership teams need to regularly ask members a simple but crucial question:Do you love your co-op? If the answer is no, understanding why is key to future success.
• Future-Proofing Through Engagement: Boards must rethink their role in cultivating engagement, ensuring the co-op remains relevant to future generations.

FollowBuild Better Boards on LinkedIn for updates and join the conversation. Find show notes and transcripts atbuildbetterboards.com/podcast.

In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Richard Fagerlin and Dr. Keri Jacobs introduce their new co-host, Mitch Majeski, and kick off Season 2 with a deep dive into the concept of future-proofing your board.

• Meet Mitch Majeski: Learn about Mitch’s background in leadership development and his work with boards, as well as his perspective on the impact of board health on organizational success.
• What is Future-Proofing?: Explore what it means to future-proof your board, including the importance of distinguishing between board and organizational purpose, strategic thinking versus legacy planning, and maintaining board health for the long term.
• Big G vs. Little G: Discover the difference between governance structure (Big G) and the day-to-day relational aspects of governance (Little G) that shape how boards function.
• Norms that Matter: Dive into the critical behaviors and cultural practices that boards should adopt today to set up future boards for success.
• Strategic Thinking vs. Future-Proofing: Understand why strategic thinking is necessary but not sufficient for future-proofing and why this concept is a higher-order goal for board success.

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In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Richard Fagerlin and Dr. Keri Jacobs close out their series on the Board Health Model, diving into practical strategies for aligning purpose, refining processes, and driving performance.

- The Myth of Perfection: Explore why boards should focus on alignment rather than chasing a “perfect” purpose, process, or performance.

- Continuous Improvement: Learn how adopting a mindset of growth can future-proof your board and organization.

- Evaluating Effectiveness: Discover simple tools, like force field analysis, to identify what’s propelling your board forward and what’s holding it back.

- Practical Questions for Directors: Ask the right questions during and after meetings to keep your board on track and aligned with its goals.

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In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Richard Fagerlin and Dr. Keri Jacobs discuss what to do after a board assessment to turn insights into meaningful action.

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In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Richard Fagerlin and Dr. Keri Jacobs share a step-by-step guide to running effective board assessments, avoiding pitfalls, and driving real value.

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In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Richard Fagerlin and Dr. Keri Jacobs explore the third leg of the Board Health Model: Performance. They tackle the question, “Are we winning?” and examine how boards can measure and deliver meaningful results.

Key Takeaways:

Connect and Engage: Follow Build Better Boards on LinkedIn for updates and join the conversation. Find show notes and transcripts at buildbetterboards.com/podcast.

In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Richard Fagerlin and Dr. Keri Jacobs dive into the second leg of the Board Health Model: Process. They explore the question, “How do we work?” and discuss how well-designed processes support effective governance.

Key Takeaways:

- Purpose Drives Process: Effective processes align with the board’s purpose, ensuring actions are meaningful and strategic.

- No One-Size-Fits-All: Tailor processes like committee structures and communication to fit your board’s unique needs.

- Avoiding Pitfalls: Steer clear of overly rigid agendas, getting stuck in the weeds, and neglecting director development.

- Regular Review: Use meeting wrap-ups to evaluate agenda structure, information quality, and process effectiveness.

Connect and Engage: Follow Build Better Boards on LinkedIn for updates and join the conversation. Find show notes and transcripts at buildbetterboards.com/podcast.