What’s an appropriate gift for board members to give their CEOs at
Christmas? Should the CEO thank the board chair with a special Christmas gift?
What kind of gift would all board members appreciate?
Caution! One size doesn’t fit all!
A few years ago, while facilitating a “360 annual review” of a ministry’s
CEO, I asked the executive committee, “What is your CEO’s love language?”
You’ve probably read Gary Chapman’s bestselling book, The 5 Love Languages (more than 11 million copies sold). He reminds
us that one size doesn’t fit all when he describes the five love languages:
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Words of Affirmation
Physical Touch
Quality Time
The problem: we tend to love others in the language we prefer. So if my
love language is “Receiving Gifts,” I erroneously assume that my spouse, my
grandkids—and fellow board members—all prefer receiving gifts, instead of (for
example) acts of service. Wrong!
Back to my story…the executive committee had a helpful discussion on their
CEO’s preferred love language—and it heightened their awareness of how to bless
their leader.
Likewise, CEOs must become students of their board chairs and their board
members. One generic Christmas gift—one love language—won’t cut it. Thoughtful
gifts take time and creativity.
Boards Chairs and Board Members: for more on this, read “Nice Farewell Dinner, But Where’s My Plaque?” about a well-meaning board that didn’t know
their CEO’s love language.
CEOs: for a creative way to express appreciation, read “Forget the Plaques!” about a very meaningful gift given to a retiring board chair.
I hope you will receive at least one Christmas gift this year in your
preferred love language! And this reminder: the Gospels are filled with
creative and amazing ways Jesus customized his message in the love language of
every person he met. Amazing encounters!
QUESTION: At your next board meeting, ask each board member, “What is your
love language?”
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