My wife and I recently welcomed our third child into the world. After a month of spit-up, little sleep and poor posture, I can report that I have become a better association management professional. As I spend time with my newborn, whether it’s holding him to calm him down or lying next to him on the floor, I could not help but be struck with the similarities between him and what I have heard and seen from Board chairs over the years. No, I am not talking about the constant crying and temper tantrums, although maybe your Board Chair is different than the ones I have encountered. Instead, the care and dedication needed to form a relationship with my newborn reminds me of the importance of fostering a good relationship between a chief staff officer and a chief elected officer.
Read more of my column at Bloomberg Government.
Robert Hay Jr. 