Note: This guest post is from Brian Saber of Asking Matters. It’s adapted from his new book, Boards and Asking Styles: A Roadmap to Success. Thanks, Brian!

For most nonprofits, board training is a challenge. And no wonder! The team meets infrequently — and can’t meet in person during the pandemic. Resources may be scarce. Furthermore, board members have different preferences for how they learn.

Good news: Board training is one challenge you can definitely overcome.

Enter the Asking Styles

The Styles were developed to help board members feel more comfortable in their fundraising roles by valuing what everyone brings to the table. Over the last ten years, Asking Styles has evolved into a tool you can use for board training, cue up rich discussions about governance, and create a stronger team spirit.

The Styles are based on two characteristics – how one interacts and how one thinks. Together they form four Styles:

People learn differently

To effectively train your board, you need to understand different learning styles. Some people embrace role plays; others cringe in horror. Some like to learn individually; others prefer learning in groups. People practice new skills in different ways and for different reasons.

Using the Asking Styles template, here’s what I’ve observed about training preferences:

Create a flexible training model

If you want your board members to become better fundraisers — and better board members overall — provide a variety of training options, and be willing to train people individually when necessary.

Those who don’t like group events should still be asked to participate. Learning in groups develops collegiality and respect for others, and that leads to a stronger team willing to work together toward the same end. This is critically important.

The solution? Imagine a scenario where you provide board-wide training with sensitivity for those who are uncomfortable in big groups. Supplement that approach by offering small-group and individual training where helpful.

As a trainer, I often divide the larger group into small groups because everyone can thrive in that setting. In particular, it’s easier for the introverts (Kindred Spirits and Mission Controllers) to participate.

Three great fundraising exercises

Here are three exercises for your board, all of which can be done virtually.

Note: These exercises require that everyone takes the free three-minute Asking Style Assessment in advance!

Fundraising – Tell Your Story (10-20 minutes)

1. Create small groups, with three people per group.
2. Every board member has one minute (use a timer) to answer the question “What’s so great about our organization?”
3. Discuss how each board member’s Asking Style impacted how they answered that question.
4. For deeper practice, everyone answers the question again.
5. If time allows, come back to the full group and debrief.

Governance – How You Work as a Board (15-30 minutes)

1. Draw a large “+” on a flip chart or virtual whiteboard and note the two axes: Introvert/Extrovert and Analytic/Intuitive.
2. Map out everyone’s Primary and Secondary Asking Styles:3. Discuss what the distribution of Styles means for your board. Where are your strengths and challenges? How might this impact your work together?

Teamwork – How We Work With Each Other (10-20 minutes)

1. Gather in pairs.
2. Discuss how your Asking Styles might impact how you:

• Address a strategic issue together.
• Partner to cultivate a Mission Controller donor.
• Work more effectively together now that you know each other’s Style.

3. Return to the full group to debrief. What did you learn? How might you use it?

Yes, you can

Training your board can be challenging. By using the Asking Styles as a resource, you can overcome many obstacles to create a stronger, more cohesive board ready to do its best work.

Here’s to strong boards making a huge impact through the organizations they love!