Build the Plane While Flying It: Why Good Boards Don’t Wait for Perfect

Have you ever sat in a boardroom, silently nodding through a tech transition update or a strategic finance review… wondering if anyone else is as lost as you feel?

You’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not failing.

What if the best board learning doesn’t happen before the meeting, but during it? What if the most impactful directors aren’t the ones who “know it all,” but the ones who keep asking good questions, even midair?

Here’s what I’ve learned about learning in motion and why the most effective boards don’t wait until the plane is built before taking off.

Build the Plane While Flying It: Why Good Boards Don’t Wait for Perfect

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard a fellow board member say:

“That’s not my area of expertise.”

It’s often said with humility, even honesty. But sometimes, it becomes a shield. A reason to disengage. A quiet permission slip to sit back when the conversation turns technical, financial, or strategic.

The reality is: in not-for-profit governance, none of us can afford to sit back.

You might not be the digital lead, but you still approve the tech roadmap. You might not be the finance expert, but you sign off the budget. You might not be the advocacy guru, but you’re accountable for the message. And as always every decision impacts our communities most vulnerable people.

Boards are not a collection of specialists. They are a collective of stewards.

And the best stewards aren’t afraid to learn in midair.

The Myth of Perfect Knowledge

There’s a subtle, outdated belief in some governance circles that “good board members should know their stuff” before stepping into complex discussions. And yes, a baseline understanding matters, especially in regulated sectors.

But the truth is, most of the modern challenges facing boards weren’t in the manual when we signed up.

Data privacy shifts. Cybersecurity risks. Digital transformation. Crisis communication. Hybrid workforces. Cultural safety. Community co-design.

If we waited until we were experts in all of these, we’d be waiting forever.

So, let me offer you a different lens:

What if the best learning happens in the doing — not in the pre-reading?

A Real-World Example: Learning Together in Crisis

One of the best board learning experiences I’ve ever had happened during COVID.

There was an online governance session scheduled earlier that week. I was going to watch it solo, but instead, the board made a bold decision: we watched it together.

We logged in as a group and streamed it live. It was a high-level, complex session, so we paused regularly to reflect. We turned theory into questions. Questions into context. Context into decisions that applied to our real life situation in front of us.

It was learning, leadership, and real-time application, all at once.

No one in the room claimed to be an expert. But by the end of that session, we were all better directors.

From Silo to Shared Learning

That experience shifted something for me. It affirmed a belief I’ve carried for years:

Productive learning doesn’t happen in a silo. It happens in motion and ideally, together.

When boards learn together, you strengthen far more than your knowledge base:

• You build cohesion.
• You reduce shame.
• You normalise vulnerability.
• You increase psychological safety.
• You turn uncertainty into progress.

And when you normalise “I don’t know yet” as a starting point, curiosity becomes culture.

The Power of a Well-Timed Question

Recently, I revisited a 360 board review I’d been part of. It included this line that my fellow Board Member had shared about my contribution:

“Always asks deeply thought-out questions that add value to the conversation.”

It meant a lot to me, not because it validated my knowledge, but because it confirmed my approach. I’ve never believed my role on a board is to have all the answers.

But I do believe it’s my responsibility to ask the right questions. Not reactive ones. Not political ones. Not fear-based ones. But productive, curious, values-aligned questions that invite reflection and challenge assumption.

That is the job of a director.

Why This Matters for NFP Boards

Not-for-profit boards often operate with leaner budgets, fewer technical supports, and a greater reliance on volunteer wisdom. That makes learning while doing even more essential.

And yet, how often do we:

• Wait months for a consultant to deliver a report before trialing a new system?
• Avoid difficult topics (tech, comms, compliance) until someone “more qualified” joins?
• Skip training because the time commitment feels too large?

I get it. Time is precious. But so is momentum.

Here’s the truth: delaying learning delays impact.

Good governance is not about knowing it all. It’s about showing up with curiosity, courage, and commitment to grow.

So What Can You Do Differently?

Here are three simple, powerful strategies your board can try:

1. Pilot a New Tech Tool in a Subcommittee

Don’t wait for the whole board to be confident. Let 2–3 members test a new platform (e.g. CRM, comms tool), then report back with a practical summary and recommendation.

2. Rotate “Explainer Roles”

Pick a topic from your risk register or strategic plan. Assign one director to research it and deliver a 5-minute explainer at your next meeting. Ask them to share how their skills connects to this topic and what questions the board should be asking. Highly suggest a timer on this!

3. Watch a Learning Module Together

Just like we did during COVID, choose a short learning session and watch it as a team. Pause to reflect. Apply it to your own work. Bonus: this turns compliance into connection.

4. To the Expert in the Room

If you are the expert in the room, be sure to actively listen to the questions. Don't dismiss them. You never know what someone might identify you have missed and worse case scenario you are upskilling the board team around you.

Final Thoughts: The Plane Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

The next time you hear someone at the board table say, “That’s not my area of expertise,” try this response:

“Great, let’s learn it together.”

You don’t have to wait for the plane to be built. You just need enough fuel, the right crew, and a willingness to fly. This brings a whole new meaning to running off the smell of an oily rag!

And trust me, it’s a smoother flight than you think.

Want to start a culture of learning on your board?

I’d love to hear how your team builds knowledge in motion. Share your best practices, or drop a question below. Let’s keep learning, midair, together.

Seeking advice on Board productivity? Get in touch https://www.heidiprowse.com.au/booknow