Organizational Leadership, Governance, and Conflict Consultation

Dr. Andrew B. Klafter provides organizational and leadership consultation to professional institutions, schools, communal organizations, training institutes, religious institutions, and non-profit boards facing complex challenges in governance, leadership structure, institutional conflict, and organizational decision-making. He combines formal training and leadership experience in organizational governance with a deep understanding of the interpersonal, psychological, and unconscious dynamics that often shape institutional conflict, polarization, leadership crises, and organizational decision-making.

Organizations and institutions are complex systems that regularly encounter periods of transition, conflict, and uncertainty. Leadership groups are often asked to make decisions in situations involving competing values, changing institutional needs, or tensions within boards, committees, and professional teams.

Organizations typically seek consultation when: (1) The board or governing body is unable to form a solid consensus about important issues or key decisions; (2) the organization is losing members and stakeholders; (3) splits and polarizations threaten the organization’s viability or risk the formation of a breakoff entity; or (4) the organization is unable to adapt strategically to changing circumstances because of antiquated by-laws, impractical board composition and structure, or political pressure from donors, stakeholders, and/or the membership.

Sometimes an organization discovers that its mission or purpose is now less relevant than when the institution was originally founded. In other situations, the design and structure of the board make it difficult to implement changes necessary for the organization to adapt to new circumstances. Divisions between leadership and the community the organization serves, and within the leadership itself, are to some degree inevitable, but when they reach the point of rupture or alienation, organizations often find it difficult to identify a workable resolution. Consultation can help organizations clarify these challenges, develop a consensus, and identify a path forward.

Dr. Klafter provides consultation for organizations who need to address these kinds of challenges. His work in this area draws from his experience as Director of the Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute and as Governance Chairman of the NEFESH International Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals, as well as his work as a consultation team leader for the American Psychoanalytic Association’s Institute Advisory and Consultation Section. He has also received formal training in board governance and institutional leadership for non-profit organizations and has served as a board officer for numerous communal, educational, and professional organizations.

Organizational consultation may address the following issues:

  • Conflicts within leadership teams or governing boards

  • Leadership conflicts over management of critical incidents

  • Polarization or divisions within organizations

  • Difficulty communicating with membership about controversial or sensitive issues

  • Role confusion within committees or administrative structures

  • Institutional responses to professional or ethical concerns

  • Tensions between organizational mission and evolving institutional needs

  • Alienation between leadership and organizational membership or constituency

  • Transitions in leadership or organizational structure

  • Reconsideration of organizational purpose and mission

  • Leadership training and best practices for board members who have never received orientation or education for their fiduciary roles and responsibilities

  • Board development and organizational restructuring for non-profit institutions such as schools, churches, synagogues, and mental health agencies

  • Assessment of child safety policies, reporting policies, and abuse prevention for schools, camps, and youth groups

  • Mediation and conflict resolution for organizations and groups negotiating disputes, leadership transitions, or other complex changes

  • Professional boundaries for businesses and organizations providing services to the public

Although all organizations face many of the above challenges on a regular basis, consultation is usually most helpful when these issues begin to interfere with the board’s ability to govern and lead effectively, or to steward the organization’s long-term viability.

Consultation Process

Consultation may be initiated by boards, executive leadership, clergy, training directors, or an organizational officer acting on behalf of the institution. After initial contact, consultation typically begins with a preliminary video conference lasting approximately two hours. This meeting provides an opportunity to clarify the nature of the concerns facing the organization and to determine whether consultation is likely to be helpful.

If consultation proceeds, a second meeting is usually scheduled with organizational leadership in order to develop a clearer understanding of the institutional structure, the concerns being addressed, and the goals of the consultation process. At that point, recommendations can be made regarding next steps, which may include additional meetings, interviews, or on-site visits as appropriate.

The scope and structure of consultation are determined collaboratively based on the needs of the organization and budget. Possible formats can include brief consultations, multi-meeting consultations, leadership retreats, ongoing advisory consultation, or a hybrid design.