--- title: BoardSource Blog - The Leader in Nonprofit Board Governance | Hardy Smith description: "Hardy Smith is a speaker and consultant who works with nonprofits who want an ongoing culture of performance. His website is www.HardySmith.com." --- ![Blog-0216.jpg](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog_photos/Blog-0216.jpg?width=1400&name=Blog-0216.jpg "Blog-0216.jpg") [![Blog-header-logo.png](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog_photos/Blog-header-logo.png?width=360&name=Blog-header-logo.png "Blog-header-logo.png")](https://boardsource.org) [Back to blog homepage](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog) ## Hardy Smith ![Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_headshots/Hardy_Smith_Headshot.jpg) Hardy Smith is a speaker and consultant who works with nonprofits who want an ongoing culture of performance. His website is [www.HardySmith.com](http://www.hardysmith.com). [![Key with colored threads in the keyhole | Make diversity work](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/diversity-works-blog.jpg)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/make-board-diversity-work) ## [Make Board Diversity Work](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/make-board-diversity-work) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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 Practice*](https://leadingwithintent.org/)[*s*](https://leadingwithintent.org/) survey shows that movement... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/make-board-diversity-work) Topics: [Board Diversity & Inclusivity](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-diversity-inclusivity) [![Are Nonprofit Best Practices Stupid?](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/dog-chasing-tail.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/are-nonprofit-best-practices-stupid) ## [Are Nonprofit Best Practices Stupid?](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/are-nonprofit-best-practices-stupid) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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? [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/are-nonprofit-best-practices-stupid) Topics: [Board Best Practices](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-best-practices) [![Mystery-board](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/Mystery-board.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/do-you-know-your-board-members) ## [Do You Know Your Board Members?](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/do-you-know-your-board-members) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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. [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/do-you-know-your-board-members) Topics: [Culture](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/culture) [![Choosing and recruiting](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/chosen-3.jpg)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/selecting-and-developing-board-leadership-choose-your-leaders-wisely) ## [Selecting and Developing Board Leadership: Choose Your Leaders Wisely](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/selecting-and-developing-board-leadership-choose-your-leaders-wisely) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/hardy-smith) on May 2, 2018, 11:00:00 AM [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/selecting-and-developing-board-leadership-choose-your-leaders-wisely) Topics: [Board Best Practices](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-best-practices), [Emerging Leaders](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/emerging-leaders), [Board Chair](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-chair) ## [Recruit Nonprofit Board Members with Purpose and Process](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/recruit-nonprofit-board-members-with-purpose-and-process) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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](http://www.l%3Cem%3Eeadingwithintent.org) reports that a high percentage of nonprofits... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/recruit-nonprofit-board-members-with-purpose-and-process) Topics: [Recruitment](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/recruitment) [![five-performance-blog.png](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/five-performance-blog.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/want-to-improve-board-performance-take-these-five-steps) ## [Want to Improve Board Performance? Take these Five Steps](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/want-to-improve-board-performance-take-these-five-steps) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/want-to-improve-board-performance-take-these-five-steps) Topics: [Culture](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/culture), [board engagement](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-engagement) [![pixar-blog-img.png](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/pixar-blog-img.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/creating-a-culture-of-collaboration-nonprofits-can-learn-from-pixar) ## [Creating a Culture of Collaboration, Nonprofits Can Learn from Pixar](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/creating-a-culture-of-collaboration-nonprofits-can-learn-from-pixar) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/creating-a-culture-of-collaboration-nonprofits-can-learn-from-pixar) Topics: [collaboration](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/collaboration) [![communication-blog-december16.png](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/communication-blog-december16.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/communicate-effectively-to-create-better-board-relationships) ## [Communicate Effectively to Create Better Board Relationships](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/communicate-effectively-to-create-better-board-relationships) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/communicate-effectively-to-create-better-board-relationships) [![ENGAGEMENT.jpg](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/ENGAGEMENT.jpg)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/change-your-approach-to-board-engagement) ## [Change Your Approach to Board Engagement](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/change-your-approach-to-board-engagement) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/change-your-approach-to-board-engagement) Topics: [board engagement](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/board-engagement) [![planning.png](https://blog.boardsource.org/hubfs/blog_photos/planning.png)](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/is-nonprofit-planning-an-oxymoron) ## [Is Nonprofit Planning an Oxymoron?](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/is-nonprofit-planning-an-oxymoron) Posted by [Hardy Smith](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/author/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... [more](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/is-nonprofit-planning-an-oxymoron) Topics: [strategic planning](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/topic/strategic-planning) [All posts](https://blog.boardsource.org/blog/all) ### Recent Posts Search this site on Google Search BoardSource   1050 Connecticut Ave NW, PO Box 65001  Washington,  DC   20036   US [![14](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/14.png?width=37&height=37&name=14.png)](https://www.facebook.com/BoardSource/)  [![15](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/15.png?width=37&height=37&name=15.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/boardsource) [![13](https://blog.boardsource.org/hs-fs/hubfs/13.png?width=37&height=37&name=13.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/BoardSourceVideo) [Privacy Policy](https://boardsource.org/privacy-policy/)     |     [Acceptable Use](https://boardsource.org/terms-of-use/) © Copyright BoardSource