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

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

Author: Jess Birken, MNM, JD May 14, 2026 Duration: 21:13

So a nonprofit hires an Executive Director, skips all the onboarding, sets no goals, and now… wants to fire them. Yikes!

I'm joined by Debbie Rabishaw, founder of HR consulting firm Next Step Advisory, to tackle a listener question that has more layers than an onion. A small nonprofit is in the middle of transitioning from a working board to a governing board, their new ED is getting mixed reviews, and some board members have already gone rogue. Things are messy, and Debbie and I have thoughts.

Real Listener Question:

"We hired a new executive director a year ago but didn't set any goals for her. A new evaluation committee sent out an anonymous staff survey and got mixed results, including some poor feedback. Now some board members want to demote her and split her role. I'm thinking of proposing a performance improvement plan, but we haven't documented any issues. What's the best way forward?"

Debbie and I dig into what this board is actually dealing with, why the response feels disproportionate to the situation, and what good performance management actually looks like for a nonprofit's first employee.

What You'll Learn:

  • What the relationship between the board and Executive Director SHOULD look like
  • Why you can't put someone on a PIP if you never set expectations in the first place
  • How to course correct when things didn't start off the right way
  • Why the board needs to look at its own responsibility before pointing fingers
  • What anonymous stakeholder surveys can and can't tell you about performance
  • Why employment law applies to your nonprofit no matter how small you are

Bottom line: You can't hold someone accountable for expectations that were never set. Own your part, reset the compass, and give this hire a real chance to succeed.

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Ever find yourself wishing for a direct line to seasoned nonprofit leaders, a chance to unpack the real challenges that don’t make it into the glossy annual reports? Charity Therapy is that conversation. With host Jess Birken, who brings her background as a lawyer and a Master of Nonprofit Management to the table, each session feels like pulling up a chair with a trusted advisor. The discussions move beyond theory, tackling the granular details of operations that leaders actually face-whether it’s navigating a tricky IRS compliance question, rebuilding a fundraising strategy from the ground up, or managing the complex interpersonal dynamics that define any mission-driven team. This podcast digs into the operational heart of the sector, offering pragmatic insights you can apply directly to your own work. It’s a resource built on the understanding that running a nonprofit is a continuous practice of problem-solving, and Jess guides these explorations with clarity and a deep respect for the work. Tune in for honest dialogue that treats the daily grind of management as the serious and nuanced craft that it is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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