Challenges

Related to the two previous postings, I was asked to join the board of an organization that advocates the recreational usage of a particular watercourse. I declined but offered to render some marketing assistance. They were happy to accept and forwarded a draft of a flyer that promotes their next outing on the water for my perusal. It included the following: "*Warning: Ohio EPA recommends no contact with waters of the (deleted) because it has excessive levels of fecal coliform bacteria and other pathogens from time to time, especially within 48 to 72 hours of a rainstorm heavy enough to cause combined sewer overflows along the lower (deleted). It is your personal choice on whether to participate, based largely on the strength of your immune system and your willingness to take a calculated risk. If you have an open cut or weakened immunities, you should not go. We prefer adults, but have allowed youths accompanied by a parent. You will need to be sure-footed in some places. Be ready to climb out of the canoe to get past shallow spots and low-head dams. Potential safety hazards include sudden drop-offs, hidden holes, slippery algae, submerged obstacles and jagged objects. Germicidal gel and a simple first-aid kit will be available." I know I wrote that I’m looking for challenges, but…

Philosophies of aging

I bought a kayak. Okay, that’s hardly a news flash. But this one, a surfski, is a departure from the rest of the fleet, requiring enhancing and adding skills to meet its higher demands. The week prior, a friend bought a sea kayak of commodious proportions and ease. He’s a bit younger than me. I took care not to react critically, although he must’ve picked up some reaction. “At least I didn’t go to the expense of getting a wide boat made from composite.” I wasn’t thinking that or anything critical. More like I was musing about the difference in philosophies with neither being exclusively correct. He’s looking to make things easier in his “declining years” (wait till he’s my age). I get it. But, a race driver doesn’t take his/her foot off the gas in the final laps and neither do I. I have things to accomplish and learn before I cross that finish line. If I’m not moving up, it’s not living. But, that’s just my opinion.

Boards

In the past three months, I’ve been invited to come on as many boards. I take such things seriously and declined in each case. If I don’t have the fire in the belly for it and won’t give a hundred percent, I don’t think it’s right to occupy a chair. The concept of boards for organizations and companies looks great on paper. Unfortunately, it often smashes upon the rocks of reality. A board should be an independent group of people who oversee the management of the entity, ensuring that business is conducted in a competent, moral and legal manner, congruent with the bylaws and mission. I see two areas where this often breaks down, starting with “independent.” CEOs sometimes sit on each other’s board. The tacit agreement is that, “I’ll support you in your company if you return the favor.” Or, the pay and/or prestige is attractive enough that the board member will accept the position with an understanding that he/she will not be intrusive and will rubber stamp whatever management wants. In any case, the required independence and objectivity is undermined. Somewhat related is that many people want and seek board positions for the prestige and perceived power, or how it dresses up a resume. However, they are unwilling to put in the requisite time and effort for delving into the entity and its field. Or, they are averse to challenging anything an established CEO cares to do. The result of the dilettante boards is the management can essentially operate without accountability. That’s why you constantly see management of charitable organizations lavishing excessive salaries and perks upon themselves or companies marketing substandard products. I believe that what is at the root of this is director & officer liability insurance. Coverage is almost of a blanket extent, protecting lapses in responsibility. In other words, there isn’t much downside in being lax or compliant. The solution is to restrict the limits of that protection so a director does have skin in the game. I believe that would eliminate those who take the appointments or duties casually.