5 Steps to Breaking Impasse in Your Nonprofit Board

In the high-stakes world of nonprofit management, executive directors and board members often navigate the delicate balance of fostering a collaborative environment while advancing ambitious agendas. Given missions that aim to drive societal improvement, conflicts within nonprofit boards can be especially challenging, as they may divert focus from the organization’s larger objectives. These issues might stem from differing visions, disputes over resource allocation or varied interpretations of compliance and ethical standards. Such challenges can pose significant risks; if left unaddressed, they may strain relationships and slow organizational progress. For leaders in the nonprofit sector, effectively managing these tensions is not merely beneficial; it’s an essential leadership skill.

Strategic leaders who are committed to their organizations' missions understand the importance of resolving board conflicts and breaking impasses in negotiations in a timely manner. However, while leaders may recognize the presence of a problem, they often face challenges in identifying the best strategies to address it. This article discusses practical techniques to navigate impasses, outlining a structured approach that may help shift conflicts toward collaboration.

Step 1: Defining the Conflict

The initial step in any conflict resolution process is to identify and articulate the issue clearly. Conflicts often escalate when underlying concerns have not been fully defined, which can lead to misunderstandings and increased tension among board members. Begin with a fact-finding approach that allows all parties to share their perspectives. It’s important to recognize that not all nonprofit board challenges are alike; personal differences and individual factors can sometimes contribute to a deadlock. Documenting these viewpoints may help reveal the significance of each perspective and can also serve as a useful reference for ongoing discussions.

Step 2: Emphasizing Common Goals

Nonprofit boards are unified by their commitment to the organization’s mission. Emphasizing this shared dedication may serve as a helpful reminder of each member’s reasons for joining the board. Common nonprofit board challenges can sometimes arise when personal agendas influence discussions, potentially shifting focus from the group’s common objectives. Taking a step back to focus on what everyone collectively supports can help redirect conversations away from personal conflicts and toward solutions that advance the board’s unified goals.

Step 3: Engaging in Active Listening

Active listening involves more than simply hearing words; it requires an effort to understand the intentions behind them. Encourage board members to listen without immediately planning responses, focusing instead on genuinely understanding each other's perspectives. This approach may help transform dialogues, guiding members away from defensive positions and toward more collaborative stances and fostering an environment where solutions are more likely to emerge naturally.

Step 4: Agreeing on Actionable Items

Reaching consensus can be one of the most challenging aspects of resolving a stalemate among nonprofit board members, especially when there are stark differences in opinions on the way forward. The aim is to demonstrate that compromise may be necessary from all involved to devise a functional, if imperfect, resolution. Below are some strategies that may help board members break the impasse:

Tip 1: Take a break

Stepping away from a discussion can provide new perspectives and insights upon return, often leading to more productive board meetings.

Tip 2: Engage the board with proactive questions

Posing questions such as “What actions might we consider next?” or candidly addressing the division with “It seems we’re deeply divided on this issue. What are your thoughts on possible solutions?” can prompt board members to think collaboratively about the challenge.

Tip 3: Create space for concerns

Encourage each board member to express any concerns or apprehensions in a way that fosters open communication without sounding patronizing or defensive.

Tip 4: Offer a comprehensive overview of standpoints

Recounting each viewpoint expressed by board members may provide a broader perspective, helping everyone see the issue in context and potentially reducing its perceived significance, which may help in breaking the impasse.

Tip 5: Define criteria for an acceptable resolution

Guide the board in establishing what an acceptable resolution might entail by asking questions such as “Before determining a specific outcome, can we agree on what characteristics a suitable solution should exhibit?”

Tip 6: Discuss a desired future state

Encourage dialogue about where the board would like to be on the issue by asking, “Where would you like us to be on this issue one year from now?” and following up with questions about feasible steps toward that vision.

Tip 7: Consider a provisional trial

Suggest a trial period for a proposed approach, as in “At times, an impasse may be unlocked when board members agree to test a strategy for six months before reconvening to evaluate its effectiveness.”

Implementing these techniques may help in moving board members toward consensus by encouraging flexibility and collaboration.

Once potential solutions have been proposed, it’s important to agree on actionable items that are clear, measurable and assigned to specific individuals. This approach helps everyone understand their responsibilities, transforming discussions into tangible outcomes. Assigning deadlines and scheduling follow-up meetings to review progress can also support accountability, which is essential in nonprofit management for maintaining momentum and reducing the likelihood of similar conflicts arising in the future.

Step 5: Documentation and Follow-Through

Effective conflict resolution benefits from documenting agreed-upon actions and following through on commitments. Maintaining records of decisions and assigned tasks during board meetings can aid in accountability and provide a clear reference for future board interactions. Regularly reviewing these documents in follow-up sessions may help reinforce commitments and support the effective implementation of resolutions.

Toward Professional Solutions: Recognizing When Outside Professional Intervention Is Needed

While the outlined steps offer a helpful framework for managing many nonprofit board challenges, it’s also important to recognize situations where external intervention may be beneficial. In cases where board members may lack the soft skills to navigate conflict constructively, conflict resolution training can be a valuable resource. For example, JAMS offers conflict resolution training that provides a general outline of topics tailored to meet the specific needs of participants, incorporating real-life examples to create an engaging learning experience. Through these programs, individuals may gain valuable insights into effective negotiation, compromise and improved communication skills.

In more complex conflicts—especially those rooted in structural issues or involving multiple parties with deeply embedded interests—an external perspective may provide the neutrality and analytical depth that goes beyond internal capabilities. In such instances, nonprofits may find it useful to consult a conflict resolution professional with experience in nonprofit board dynamics and advanced dispute resolution techniques. We encourage you to learn more about how our conflict resolution programs approach complex conflict, and we invite you to explore our team page for experienced conflict resolution professionals who understand the nonprofit sector.

Effective and timely problem-solving for nonprofits may involve seeking professional advice or external conflict resolution services to help minimize the impact of conflicts. This support can enable board dynamics to drive the mission forward rather than hinder it.

Conclusion

Navigating conflict within nonprofit organizations can feel daunting. However, it is important to recognize that not all conflicts are negative; opposing perspectives can contribute to balanced strategies and help hold members accountable—provided that deadlocks are managed effectively through constructive boardroom negotiation tactics.

The impact of unresolved impasses can be significant not only for the organizations, but also for the communities they aim to serve.

Effective and timely problem-solving for nonprofits may involve seeking professional advice or an external conflict resolution service to help minimize the impact of conflicts. This support can enable board dynamics to drive the mission forward rather than hinder it. Ideally, such interventions may not only resolve immediate disputes, but also foster proactive communication skills and mutual respect that can benefit future board discussions.