How in the World Did We End Up on Printer Paper?
Good morning {{contact.first_name}},
I've been in board meetings that started with big, strategic questions about mission and impact, and ended up, somehow, debating the cost of printer paper.
Not “big government reform” printer paper, just the sticky-note kind that somehow disappears like socks in a dryer.
We don’t start that way on purpose. We start with good intentions. But smart people filling in gaps without clarity about roles? That’s how agendas quietly collapse into operational weeds.
Eventually, someone in that meeting, bless them, finally asked the question that turned everything around:
“What decision are we actually trying to make?”
That moment reset the room.
Why Boards Drift (Even When People Care)
In too many boardrooms, operational concerns slowly creep in because no one names the shift. It’s not malicious. It’s just human.
When governance becomes “helping staff fix the copier,” strategy exits through the fire exit you didn’t notice.
Protecting the governance lane isn’t about control. It's about stewardship.
A Way I Redirect the Room
If the conversation starts sliding into operational territory, I’ll ask:
“Is this about strategic oversight, or is this something staff should be leading?”
Believe me, even seasoned boards laugh a little when someone says it. Because we’ve all been there.
If you want to go deeper on how boards stay focused on strategic impact instead of operational detail, check out this week’s blog post:
How to Build a High-Performing Board: 5 Governance Habits That Transform Your Organization
Printer paper will survive just fine without you, the mission deserves your strategic mind.
Serve well, and lead smart.™
Dawn & Craig
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