This is an excerpt from the full article by BoardSource attached above

While all effective board members understand and meet their basic responsibilities, truly exceptional board members do more. They go beyond the basics and pay attention to how they approach board service.

These six characteristics build on straightforward board duties and focus on key traits of exceptional board members:

  1. Board Chairs: Create a partnership with the Executive Director or CEO
  2. Focus on listening, not just participating
  3. Understand the balance between giving the CEO ample room to manage the organization and ensure the ethical standards are met
  4. Ask naive questions that others want to ask but may shy away from
  5. Serve as ambassadors for their organizations and understand the responsibility that comes with that role
  6. Good board members enjoy their role