Hardy Smith

Hardy Smith
Hardy Smith is a speaker and consultant who works with nonprofits who want an ongoing culture of performance. His website is www.HardySmith.com.

Make Board Diversity Work

Posted by Hardy Smith on Aug 27, 2019 2:19:35 PM

Adopting a goal to achieve board diversity is one thing. Taking action to achieve that goal is quite another.

Despite ongoing encouragement for nonprofit boards to embrace diversity, BoardSource’s Leading with Intent: 2017 National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices survey shows that movement...

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Topics: Board Diversity & Inclusivity

Are Nonprofit Best Practices Stupid?

Posted by Hardy Smith on Nov 15, 2018 2:04:44 PM

We’ve all heard that familiar quote about continuing to do something the exact same way you’ve done it in the past yet expecting a different result. It’s like a dog chasing its tail. Is your nonprofit constantly chasing elusive solutions?

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Topics: Board Best Practices

Do You Know Your Board Members?

Posted by Hardy Smith on Aug 29, 2018 11:58:33 AM

I worked on my family’s dairy farm through high school and college, but the twice-a-day milking routine never came easy for me. Summers were stifling hot; winter mornings at 3 a.m. were often below freezing.

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Topics: Culture

Selecting and Developing Board Leadership: Choose Your Leaders Wisely

Posted by Hardy Smith on May 2, 2018 11:00:00 AM
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Topics: Board Best Practices, Emerging Leaders, Board Chair

Recruit Nonprofit Board Members with Purpose and Process

Posted by Hardy Smith on Feb 7, 2018 11:09:00 AM

Nonprofits have long been challenged by unmet expectations in board member engagement and performance.

The latest research from BoardSource reinforces the prevalence of this issue. Leading With Intent: 2017 National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices reports that a high percentage of nonprofits...

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Topics: Recruitment

Want to Improve Board Performance? Take these Five Steps

Posted by Hardy Smith on Apr 13, 2017 4:00:00 PM

With his personal finances spinning out of control, Steve Carell’s character in the television series The Office gathered everyone around and announced, “I declare bankruptcy!” His co-workers then explained that using bankruptcy as a path to deal with financial difficulties involved more than a...

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Topics: Culture, board engagement

Creating a Culture of Collaboration, Nonprofits Can Learn from Pixar

Posted by Hardy Smith on Feb 16, 2017 12:14:01 PM

To infinity and beyond! Isn’t that a great and energizing phrase? Buzz Lightyear would certainly agree, as it’s his mission: To go further, be stronger, and ultimately be successful. Those of us who know the movie Toy Story can relate to his motivations. But we also recognize the many struggles he...

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Topics: collaboration

Communicate Effectively to Create Better Board Relationships

Posted by Hardy Smith on Dec 15, 2016 1:07:46 PM

Nonprofit leaders seeking to improve relationships with board members can start by focusing on being a good communicator.

What is the significance of good communication?

Whenever I ask audiences what they believe is the most essential element of a successful long-term relationship, they always...

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Change Your Approach to Board Engagement

Posted by Hardy Smith on Aug 25, 2016 3:00:00 PM

How often have you heard about frustration with nonprofit board members not being as engaged as they should be?

Perhaps you have experienced this trying situation yourself.

It’s a common complaint and it’s voiced by nonprofit staff and board members alike. Engagement expectations that can range...

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Topics: board engagement

Is Nonprofit Planning an Oxymoron?

Posted by Hardy Smith on May 26, 2016 9:18:05 AM

When I ask audiences of nonprofit leaders to indicate how many of them engage in strategic planning, have an annual action plan, or make time to plan out the projects and activities that are critical to their success, the all too familiar response is that many don’t.

Ironically, those same...

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Topics: strategic planning

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