80. Mastering Robert’s Rules of Orders with Susan Leahy

In this episode hosts Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh welcome Susan Leahy, the founder of Robert’s Rules Made Simple. Susan has trained and advised thousands of board members, board chairs and others on how to master Robert’s Rules of Order, to help lead and participate in productive meetings. 

 

Key Takeaways

1. History of Robert’s Rules of Order 

• • Robert’s Rules of Order is a decision making process developed in the 1800s by General Henry M. Robert, who was frustrated by disorganized meetings. Roberts created a guide, first published in 1876, which summarized and simplify parliamentary procedure to make understanding how to run an effective meeting accessible to everyone.  It has, over the years, evolved into a detailed 700-page reference guide.

 2. Susan’s journey to Robert’s Rules 

• • Leahy was first introduced to Robert’s Rules when she and her mother enrolled into a local junior college course to learn about how to run   an effective meeting. At that time, Leahy’s mother served on an all-male city council board and found that during the meetings, discussions and decisions weren’t clear. Understanding Robert’s Rules gave her mother confidence in the meetings  and she was able to find her voice and she was able to be of service “ and she was able to find her voice and she was able to be of service.”

  • Susan began using Robert’s Rules in high school and at college in connection with student government and became known for running effective meetings

 3. The value of effective board meetings

• •   Robert's Rules of Order increases the likelihood that meetings will be productive.

  • At its core, the Rules are about promoting clarity and action. By following the Seven Fundamental Motions of Robert’s Rules meetings become more productive

  • Robert’s Rules is only used to handle the business of meetings, not the entire meeting. Once board members learn the basics,  then the board's productivity increases exponentially.

  • Robert’s Rules are intended to provide everyone in the boardroom with a “common language” to help foster productive discussion and decision-making regarding the business of an organization.

4. The role of a parliamentarian in board meetings

• • A parliamentarian is a resource for the chair, ensuring meetings stay on track. The chair ultimately makes the final decision but can consult with the parliamentarian whenever needed.

Quotes

 ”When you are on a board, you're either handling information items or business items, and when it comes to the business of a board, everyone on that board needs to understand the decision making process they're using in order to be productive and drive action.”

 ”You do not need to be a parliamentarian to use Robert's Rules of Order. It is a reference guide there to support you in making business decisions.  That's important because if people do not have a common understanding about how you're making business decisions, it's can create tension, mistrust, frustration - and it's going to waste a lot of time”

 ”What we do is put an emphasis on providing training that's going to make us more high functioning. How are we going to not just get it “right” how are we going to be healthy?  And that's why I focus on healthy board dynamics and using Robert's Rules of Order as a tool to leverage a healthier dynamic on your board.”

 

Links

Robert’s Rules Made Simple

 

Guest Bio

Susan Leahy, MA CSP, is a dynamic and highly engaging speaker, trainer, and facilitator specializing in board development, leadership, and effective meetings. As the founder of Robert’s Rules Made Simple, established in 2004, Susan has empowered thousands of board members, board chairs, and support staff to master Robert’s Rules of Order, transforming meetings into productive, efficient, and empowering experiences.

A sought-after expert in communication, leadership, and group decision-making, Susan has worked with organizations of all sizes—from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies and government entities. She is the creator of the acclaimed "Chair a Meeting with Confidence" program, designed to help board chairs lead with clarity, authority, and ease.

With a Master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Sciences from Bastyr University, Susan combines deep expertise with a refreshingly engaging approach. Her unique background—being raised by a professional clown and a career Marine—shapes her signature style: energetic, impactful, and highly memorable. She has a rare talent for making even the most complex or dry topics both accessible and engaging, leaving her audiences empowered and inspired.