Episode Details

Back to Episodes

144: Stop Parenting Your Board: How to Recruit, Retain, and Lead Like a CEO

Season 1 Episode 144 Published 1 year, 4 months ago
Description

If you’ve ever felt like your board is holding you back—or worse, like you’re stuck asking for permission to lead the organization you’re working so hard to grow, you’re not alone. In this episode, I'm joined by Sabrina Walker Hernandez, founder of Building Better Boards, to dig into why so many nonprofit CEOs get stuck parenting their boards — and how to break free from the cycle.

Sabrina’s lived it from all sides: she’s run a thriving nonprofit, serves on five boards, and is not afraid to name what’s happening behind closed doors. We talk about board bullies (yep, they exist), permission culture, burnt-out executive directors, and what happens when you stop begging and start leading with confidence. If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of over-explaining, over-prepping, or just over-it, this one will remind you: you’re more powerful than you think.

Topics:

  • Why recruiting "warm bodies" will keep you stuck
  • The unspoken truth about board bullies (and how to reset the power dynamic)
  • How to onboard, train, and lead your board with authority
  • What to do when your board isn't producing (and how to fix it)
  • Why asking for board approval on everything is slowing you down
  • Why professional development isn’t a luxury—it’s essential
  • Why your board is actually waiting for you to take the lead


For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits like yours. Book your demo here. Read The 2026 Giving Signals Report here

Apply here: splendidcourses.com/apply

Resources:

Listen Now

Love PodBriefly?

If you like Podbriefly.com, please consider donating to support the ongoing development.

Support Us