Category: Systemic Approach

How the board considers the whole system in its decision-making, and how decisions in one subsystem impact subsystems elsewhere in the organization

Another look at Questions #7-11 of “49 Questions to Ask Your School Board”

Rick Maloney

Strategic approach as a prerequisite for board readiness To be ready to exercise governance responsibilities on behalf of its community a board must take a strategic approach. Governance readiness depends on more than having the right governance mindset. Not only must a board assure that its thinking is strategic, it must also assure that its acting is strategic – developing routines that set the stage for effective work. To be fully ready the board must have the right governance approach Read More …

Questions 1-11 of “49 Questions to Ask Your School Board”

Rick Maloney

At this point, having reviewed the first 11 questions (the total number will be 49) and having considered at least a partial answer to each, let’s observe their connections, each with one another, and how they combine to illustrate the broader category of board readiness. Questions 1-11 deal with the board’s need to be ready with a foundation of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that enable it to carry out broad governance functions: One perspective from which to view board readiness Read More …

Question #8 – Does Your Board ‘See’ With a Systems Perspective?

Rick Maloney

(49 Questions to Ask Your Board) Governing with a systems perspective means understanding not only that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but that each of the parts is essential…effective governance flows from understanding and paying attention to all of these elements. – Katherine Gemberling et al1 A systems perspective enables a board to take a strategic view of the whole district before it acts. It ensures that the board considers how decisions targeting one part, Read More …