Comments on: Dysfunctional Advisory Boards – A Family of Problems http://www.dr-smith.info/dysfunctional-advisory-boards-%e2%80%93-a-family-of-problems/ Senior Adviser, Board Member, Executive Coach, Author Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:00:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ron Wehmann http://www.dr-smith.info/dysfunctional-advisory-boards-%e2%80%93-a-family-of-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-9045 Ron Wehmann Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:28:12 +0000 http://www.dr-smith.info/?p=170#comment-9045 I like the choice of word in the title "A Family of Problems". The advisory boards with which I have consulted were chosen to advise family based companies. While seeking to showcase an advisory board, what the family was seeking to do was validate their management practices. There was no real interest in changing the course based on the Board's oversight and direction. The "metrics" are all too often to make the CEO feel good about the current direction. If that is the case, don't waste the time or expense. If the equity owners don't want to be challenged they would be better off without a board and the superficial window dressing so often enlisted. <font color="red">Ron, I agree with you about 'family-based companies'. You have to choose your battles. It is best to avoid kamikaze raids on vacant lots. One of my favorite sayings is "you can lead a hotriculture but you can't make her think."</font> I like the choice of word in the title “A Family of Problems”. The advisory boards with which I have consulted were chosen to advise family based companies. While seeking to showcase an advisory board, what the family was seeking to do was validate their management practices. There was no real interest in changing the course based on the Board’s oversight and direction. The “metrics” are all too often to make the CEO feel good about the current direction. If that is the case, don’t waste the time or expense. If the equity owners don’t want to be challenged they would be better off without a board and the superficial window dressing so often enlisted.

Ron, I agree with you about ‘family-based companies’. You have to choose your battles. It is best to avoid kamikaze raids on vacant lots. One of my favorite sayings is “you can lead a hotriculture but you can’t make her think.”

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