IN THIS LESSON

A good attitude? That’s important.

But don’t fool yourself into thinking enthusiasm alone wins the game. Plenty of board members walk in all smiles, ready to ‘help,’ but what they’re really doing is spinning their wheels, wasting time, and confusing motion with progress. That’s the paradox—good intentions, bad execution.

You ever see a board that says ‘We need more fundraising’ and then spends six months talking about it instead of putting a plan in place? Or a board that loves ‘collaboration’ so much that no one takes responsibility for decisions? That’s what I’m talkin’ about.

A board that’s all good attitude and no real strategy is like a car with a full tank of gas but no steering wheel—lots of energy, no direction. The best boards? They don’t just feel good; they work good. They align their enthusiasm with a sharp, clear plan.

So, here’s the deal: Keep the passion, drop the chaos. Make decisions that matter. Move with purpose. Otherwise, you’re just another board stuck in a loop of well-meaning nonsense.

And in my world, that is a crime against good governance. You have now crossed into the twilight zone. Good luck!

The Twilight Zone?

“There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call” the Twilight Board Meeting.

How often whether in your personal or professional life, team or board meeting have you found yourself in this twilight zone? Share your ghost stories.

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