NBOA CEO Notebook Articles

CEO Notebook

CEO Notebook  

  • Change Management
  • | Communication
  • | Leadership

The Surprising Strengths of a Vulnerable Leader

It may seem counterintuitive, but vulnerability can be a great strength for independent school business leaders.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Cybersecurity
  • | Risk Management

A Clear Guide for Assessing Cyber Risk and Mitigations

As cyber attacks continue grow for K12 schools, understanding what’s in your school’s cyber insurance is more important than ever.
3 min read
Basketball exiting a hoop net.

CEO Notebook  

  • Change Management
  • | Leadership

Bring the Magic: 7 Ways to Lead with Impact

From basketball courts to boardrooms, Magic Johnson’s leadership playbook offers timely wisdom for business leaders entering a new school year.
4 min read
Close-up of a glowing light bulb hangs from the ceiling, with a blurred group of people collaborating at a table in the background.

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership
  • | Membership

This Cohort Means Business

The latest cohort of the NBOA Leadership Academy will maximize their business leadership skills while looking for alternative solutions to common problems in the field.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Governance
  • | Leadership

Summer Listening for Boards and School Business Leaders

Board work is never a breeze, but immediate past and current chairs of the NBOA Board recently shared what they think makes the work easier and more productive.
5 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Policy
  • | Procedures

Time-Saving, Trustworthy Policies Now at Your Fingertips

NBOA’s newly released Business Office Policies and Procedures were developed to help improve business office protocols while giving you time back for everything else on your plate.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Planning
  • | Procedures
  • | Risk Management

Summer Could Be the Time to Tackle ERM

Enterprise risk management may sound intimidating, but this simple list can help you get started this summer.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Leadership

The School Year’s Final Weeks: A Shared Endeavor

Strong partnership between academic and business leaders, especially the head of school and business officer, is critical when working through the flurry of year-end activities.
3 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Budget
  • | Membership
  • | Planning

The (Financial) Re-Model You’ve Been Waiting For

NBOA just released version 2.0 of the Long-Range Financial Model, which is more powerful, intuitive and customizable.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Leadership

Leading with "We" in Anxious Times

These 4 tips can help steady the ship when your school community is worried about the uncertain future.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership
  • | Planning

Your Mission. Our Experts.

With the launch of NBOA Advisory Services, school leaders can receive personalized support in the business office.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Budget
  • | Planning
  • | Research

Enrollment, Operating Expenses and “the Gap” All Rose Last Year

Business leaders will find key benchmarks of financial and operational health in NBOA’s new Financial State of the Industry report.
4 min read
life gives you lemons

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership

Lemonade Lessons

Open-eyed optimism — not toxic positivity — can help us get through challenging periods.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Change Management
  • | Leadership

Preparing for Change: 2025 NBOA Annual Meeting Takeaways

Both keynote speakers offered strategies for thinking creatively and thinking ahead in an uncertain future.
5 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Diversity and Inclusion
  • | Membership

How Business Leaders Can Be a Leading Voice for Inclusion Efforts

NBOA has released a new Operational Equity and Inclusion Inventory to help business leaders make the school community more welcoming for faculty, staff and families.
3 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Employment
  • | Hiring

Independent Schools’ Advantage in the Hiring Market

Compensation is just one piece of the employee retention puzzle at an independent school that offers many rich benefits.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership
  • | Membership

Announcing the 2025 NBOA Award Recipients

This year’s recipients have supported the independent school community by generously sharing their knowledge and financial support, and have innovated in the areas of compensation and AI.
5 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • | Leadership
  • | Research

The Business of You

NBOA’s new research report, “Demographics of the Independent School Business Office,” reveals trends across schools, positions and individual career backgrounds and satisfaction.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • | Membership
  • | Research

How Do You Measure 2024?

Among this year’s many efforts to enhance your professional development opportunities, these four stand out.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Leadership

It Takes a Village To Build a Village

When school leaders prioritize genuine appreciation, a positive and motivated workplace culture results.
4 min read