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Evaluating the performance of your Executive Director is crucial for effective decision-making and Housing Authority (HA) success. This article explores the decisive measures that can be employed to evaluate the performance of your Executive Director (ED).

1. Clearly Defined KPIs: Establish clear and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the Housing Authority’s strategic goals. These KPIs provide a framework for assessing the ED’s performance and tracking progress over time.
2. Regular Performance Reviews: Conduct structured performance reviews that include input from the board, senior management, and key stakeholders. Evaluate the ED’s leadership abilities, decision-making skills, and communication effectiveness. Provide constructive feedback for improvement.
3. Stakeholder Feedback: Gather input from staff and board members. Seek feedback on the ED’s leadership style, communication, and ability to achieve Housing Authority goals. Diverse perspectives help identify areas of strength and areas for improvement.
4. Board Evaluation: Regularly evaluate the ED’s performance through board assessments. Assess their ability to engage in strategic planning, manage resources, and fulfill fiduciary responsibilities. The evaluation process should be confidential and honest.
5. Goal Attainment: Assess the ED’s ability to achieve Housing Authority goals. Evaluate their effectiveness in translating strategic goals into actionable plans, leading teams, and delivering desired outcomes.
6. Continuous Professional Development: Evaluate the ED’s commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. Consider their engagement in HA networks, like SMCO Connections, participation in training programs, and pursuit of leadership development opportunities.

Evaluating the performance of your ED is essential for effective decision-making and organizational success. Implementing clearly defined KPIs, conducting regular performance reviews, gathering stakeholder feedback, performing board evaluations, assessing goal attainment, and supporting continuous professional development are decisive measures in evaluating their performance.

Stay tuned for next month’s topic: Constructive Conversations: Providing Meaningful Feedback to Executive Directors in Housing Authorities