One more time: improve your board through self-assessment

Evaluating board effectiveness is a highly subjective, individualized, and potentially powerful undertaking if pursued with the proper motivation and with the ownership of the board. In this article, the authors describe one successful approach to board self-evaluation pursued by the Albert Lea Medical Center, Mayo Health System, Minnesota. The authors share evaluation methodology as well as process and outcomes. Recommendations directed toward organizations considering the self-evaluation process are formed around three themes. First, engage your board and have them own the process. Second, engage your board in developing the evaluation methodology. Third, ensure accountability in the board and the senior organization leadership for action on self-assessment outcomes. Finally, the authors discuss board development as a functional responsibility of the board. In that context, they present self-evaluation as one opportunity for a board to tangibly embrace its education and development responsibilities.