Difficult members of a board could pose a major threat to the efficiency and cohesion of the board. Although it’s tempting to let the problem slip away in the hope that the person will change their ways or leave when their time is up, that’s generally not an effective strategy. It’s more likely that the behavior will continue to be a problem, and get more noticeable. This can negatively impact the other board members, making it difficult for them to fulfill their duties.
One way to handle difficult board directors is by directly intervention. Begin by inviting them to a private meeting with the chair or someone that they hold in high esteem and would take note of, in order to explain the problems with their behaviour. Find out what drives the behavior, for instance the feeling that they are not valued or listened to by other board members. It is also crucial to have a clear goal in mind, for instance their behavior needing to change, so that the conversation doesn’t result in a fight or a conflict.
It is usually helpful to bring this issue to the attention of other board members during a discussion group when the person isn’t taken to task during a one-on-one conversation. This is a fantastic opportunity for the chairperson to show that they value everyone’s input and are not afraid to confront problematic behavior. It is also important to record what was said so that you can inform people on any new information when you return to them.