164: Ermahgerd! | How to Evaluate Executive Director Performance with Debbie Rabishaw

A small nonprofit board is in crisis after hiring its first Executive Director (ED) without setting clear expectations or providing onboarding support, leading to a reactive and poorly managed performance evaluation. When anonymous feedback from staff and clients revealed communication failures, some board members pushed to demote the ED or split the role—despite best practices recommending a single executive reporting to the board. The episode dismantles this panic with a powerful reframing: the real problem isn’t the ED’s performance, but the board’s failure to transition from a 'working board' to a 'governing board' with proper governance structures. Host Jess Birkin and HR expert Debbie Rabishaw argue that the board must first examine its own accountability—admitting it didn’t set clear goals, provide support, or follow HR best practices. They warn that launching a performance review without documented expectations is not only unfair but legally risky. Instead, they advocate for a 'mea culpa' approach: publicly acknowledging the board’s missteps, resetting expectations collaboratively, and using feedback as a tool for co-creating a better future—not for punishment. The episode also debunks myths about co-executive directors and emphasizes that employment law applies equally to nonprofits, no matter their size. The core message? Leadership failure is rarely about one person—it’s about systems, culture, and the courage to look in the mirror first.