Leading From the Board

Bring a Unique Perspective

A strong board member offers a fresh lens the leadership team doesn't already have. Robert combines his background in blue-collar operations with private equity experience to help the team see both sides — challenging approaches not to be difficult, but to ensure long-term strategic thinking.

Think Creatively to Solve Problems

It's easy to hear 'we've already tried that' and move on, but Robert always asks why it didn't work and what can be learned. At a GoBundance event, rather than scrapping an underperforming initiative, they found the issue wasn't the event itself but that it felt too sales-focused — a subtle adjustment improved the experience without losing what made it great.

Spend Time in the Trenches

It's hard to give good advice if you've never built or run a business. The best board members stay close enough to understand what's happening on the ground, but far enough to keep perspective. You cannot lead from a distance — you must stay connected to the pulse of the business.

Stay Collaborative and Open-Minded

You have to be open to the idea that your opinion might not be the right one. Robert recalls proposing a local sales approach for GoBundance that the CEO pushed back on — and after talking it through, the CEO was right. Having that kind of dialogue, where both sides can share their view and adjust, builds trust and better outcomes.

Focus on the North Star

It's easy to get caught up in daily problems or quarterly goals, but a board member's job is to stay focused on the bigger picture. Robert tries to bring every discussion back to the North Star — What are we really building toward? What is the long-term vision? A board should help leadership keep sight of the big goals.