An Observational Study of Leadership Dysfunction in Nonprofit Governance

Abstract

This case study shows how observational research explained behaviors in the volunteer board of directors of the Good Sisters of Guardian Angels, a faith-based community service organization. This article presents a review of the literature and experiential information relating to human and organizational behavior and boardroom best practices. The study shows how the mix of status and personality characteristics with opposing motivational forces resulted in boardroom balkanization and high turnover. In response to the research questions, personal observation, notes, communications, and public records were used to gather the data which were analyzed and compared inferentially for behaviors prejudicial to group harmony. This study used third-party participant observation to examine decision-making behavior in forming a model of reality and moral reasoning reflective of the ethical dilemmas faced by study participants. The findings suggest that greater care should be given to board member nominations to more closely align with the organization's mission.