Advice needed, CEO is losing his mind, literally.

[Flash of power]

This is a tricky one, I work in a not-for profit, smallish office of about 20 staff, 3 managers and one CEO.

The problem is the CEO, who has previously been a pretty good CEO over a few years and turned a nearly broke organisation that couldn't keep staff, into a profitable, well managed unit with a great team of dedicated staff.

So this is not a bitch about him personally, he has done a good job, the problem is that over the last year, his mental capacity has declined and it seems to be getting worse, he is forgetful to the point of not remembering conversations, he is becoming aggressive and staff are really concerned. The place is falling apart because of his behaviours.

The problem is, that as he is the CEO, what can staff actually do about it, they can approach the Board, but what can they do if they don't witness any of these behaviours?

The three managers are considering approaching the board as a group, but this seems to be very risky as it could appear to be a mutiny and could end up ugly.

Staff have approached him about his behaviour, but often he can't even remember what has transpired, and if he does, he gets aggressive.

Any thoughts on how to deal with this?

 

[Allikat]

The managers going to the board is about all you can do. Make sure you have evidence, even if it's just a timeline of specific events.

If that doesn't work, time for some job hunting.

 

[Gough]

Sounds like he's hitting the bottle.

 

[Flash of power]

Sounds like he's hitting the bottle.

Actually I don't think so, he is actually a massive health freak, runs marathons, doesn't eat carbs, generally treats his body like a temple, so if he was that would be a big shock.

 

[Croweater]

Get management to speak to the board of directors.

Since it is a small organisation, it's easier to get things sorted out than the ridiculous amount of bureaucracy and channels to go through in larger organisations. If all three managers are voicing significant concerns, that's extremely hard to ignore.

It's important to tread carefully though. Explain why things are bad, give clear examples and highlight that it impacts everyone's ability to perform. It would also help to be diplomatic, so they'd be well advised to explain that it's a regression; that he used to be great at his job, but things have changed for the worse. It shows that he garners respect and that the people speaking to the board are respectful, which boards generally view favourably.

It's never an easy situation to be in, but given enough persuasion, the board should act accordingly. Not-for-profit's aren't exactly blood-sucking corporations, but they still need to derive an income to fund their projects. Thus if earning power is impacted, the raison d'être of the organisation becomes threatened. The board should do the right thing if they have any common sense.

Best of luck.

 

[ronpingwins]

Actually I don't think so, he is actually a massive health freak, runs marathons, doesn't eat carbs, generally treats his body like a temple, so if he was that would be a big shock.

How old is he? Legit could be early stages of Alzheimer's.

 

[HBF]

The managers going to the board is about all you can do. Make sure you have evidence, even if it's just a timeline of specific events.

If that doesn't work, time for some job hunting.

This.
Make sure your resume is up to date and start looking around.

These things can often get messy and you may well be better off out of there.

 

[Flash of power]

How old is he? Legit could be early stages of Alzheimer's.

He is 60ish and that is actually a very real possibility and what makes it so difficult, he has periods where he is fine, but other times he seems to be deteriorating. The problem is when he is the boss, and the Board don't see the behaviour it is very difficult. There have been a couple of instances when in public he has lost the plot a bit too.

 

[the_interloper]

Tip 1: Don't post this thread from a work computer.

 

[Mofra]

He is 60ish and that is actually a very real possibility and what makes it so difficult, he has periods where he is fine, but other times he seems to be deteriorating. The problem is when he is the boss, and the Board don't see the behaviour it is very difficult. There have been a couple of instances when in public he has lost the plot a bit too.

Aggression can be a sign of early onset dementia.
As much as the concern over the organisation is admirable, there are genuine health concerns for the CEO as well. Does anyone in the organisation know his family (if he has a family)?

 

[Flash of power]

Aggression can be a sign of early onset dementia.
As much as the concern over the organisation is admirable, there are genuine health concerns for the CEO as well. Does anyone in the organisation know his family (if he has a family)?

That is true, and to be honest, the staff are actually genuinely concerned about him, yes he has a family, but a bit hard to call his wife and start talking about him behind his back, but then again it is likely that she has noticed changes tool It just seems that step might be crossing a line, every option is fraught with danger as he is likely to turn on those involved.

 

[Mofra]

That is true, and to be honest, the staff are actually genuinely concerned about him, yes he has a family, but a bit hard to call his wife and start talking about him behind his back, but then again it is likely that she has noticed changes tool It just seems that step might be crossing a line, every option is fraught with danger as he is likely to turn on those involved.

It would certainly be a hard call to make and would have to be introduced very diplomatically, but I guess framing it as an issue of genuine concern could make the conversation slightly easier.

If it is something that multiple staff have noticed something will have to be said sooner or later.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Have you tried hitting him?

 

[Flash of power]

Have you tried hitting him?

Would love nothing more than to hit him some days, but unfortunately it is probably a career ending move.

 

[LeakyValve]

Would love nothing more than to hit him some days, but unfortunately it is probably a career ending move.

It is tough as it seems you really do care for and respect this bloke.

But ultimately you and your fellow workers have to be "selfish" and consider yourselves first.

Also, if all the workforce is singing from the same hymn book I cannot see the board not been thankful
for bringing this to their attention.

I assume they face issues of liability and if kept unaware of this situation they then may be grumpy.

Easy for us outsiders, but you and your colleagues it would seem, need to act.

Good luck.

 

[WCErevival]

I think its clear that its because he is making a profit with a not for profit business.

 

[boncer34]

Knife him

 

[Papa G]

As you work for a not for profit, see if you can salary sacrifice him.

 

[Lethal]

Could have possibly had a tia (mini stroke)

 

[Lester Burnham]

This is a tricky one, I work in a not-for profit, smallish office of about 20 staff, 3 managers and one CEO.

Anyone in charge of 23 people and gives themselves the title of CEO must be bit of a tosser.

Staff have approached him about his behaviour, but often he can't even remember what has transpired, and if he does, he gets aggressive.

Any thoughts on how to deal with this?

Invent a sexual assault charge and confront him with it. He will have no idea whether it is true or not. Make sure to video the conversation. If he gets aggressive then you win.

 

[Demosthenes]

Anyone in charge of 23 people and gives themselves the title of CEO must be bit of a tosser.

Usually the board that decides that sort of thing, I would think.

That said, in a small organisation, I'd have thought that the more common title would be Managing or Executive Director.

 

[Dagless]

Anyone in charge of 23 people and gives themselves the title of CEO must be bit of a tosser.



Invent a sexual assault charge and confront him with it. He will have no idea whether it is true or not. Make sure to video the conversation. If he gets aggressive then you win.

Channeling a lot of your namesake here...

 

[Big Stinky Monk]

This is a tricky one, I work in a not-for profit, smallish office of about 20 staff, 3 managers and one CEO.

The problem is the CEO, who has previously been a pretty good CEO over a few years and turned a nearly broke organisation that couldn't keep staff, into a profitable, well managed unit with a great team of dedicated staff.

So this is not a bitch about him personally, he has done a good job, the problem is that over the last year, his mental capacity has declined and it seems to be getting worse, he is forgetful to the point of not remembering conversations, he is becoming aggressive and staff are really concerned. The place is falling apart because of his behaviours.

The problem is, that as he is the CEO, what can staff actually do about it, they can approach the Board, but what can they do if they don't witness any of these behaviours?

The three managers are considering approaching the board as a group, but this seems to be very risky as it could appear to be a mutiny and could end up ugly.

Staff have approached him about his behaviour, but often he can't even remember what has transpired, and if he does, he gets aggressive.

Any thoughts on how to deal with this?

As a board member of a NFP, I'm happy to give you my thoughts.

If his behaviour swings are as drastic as what you describe, there's a good chance that he's probably dealing with some issues outside of the workplace. Being the head of an organisation can be a lonely place as you have no peers, and he may feel that he can't talk about personal issues with any of the people that he's meant to be inspiring.

Approaching the board might be tough and he would most likely be present at all board meetings anyway.

I would advise singling out one of the more approachable board members for a private chat. Come at it from the angle that you have concerns about your CEOs welfare and just suggest that the board member have the 'are you ok' chat with him.

 

[Gosha]

Hit on his wife

 

[Big Cox 88]

Send him a dick pic on Friday. See if he remembers on Monday.