At every opportunity possible, you speak with enthusiasm and ardor about the organization. Enthusiasm is like a gigantic boiler. Once the fire is lit under it, there is no limit to the power it can generate. You understand that if you are willing to accept nothing but the very best, you most often get nothing but the very best. If you tolerate mediocrity in your programs and staff, you almost always get mediocre programs and staff.
Board members understand that good enough never is.
You bring business acumen into the boardroom, but with compassion. It is very much a combination of Lee Iacocca and a Mother Theresa. You give sacrificially and you ask others to do the same. And in order to effectively perform in all of these important areas, you know as much as you possibly can about the service and performance of the organization. And you understand that this can best be done by walking around, in both structured and unannounced visits.