OPINION
IMHO: Is governance a team sport or individual sport?
A high performing board has a lot in common with a successful sports team.
Directors need to be aware of what makes a good board and how they can contribute and add value as an individual.
A board that truly adds value is not just a group of high performing individuals. A good board is a balanced team with complementary skill sets and a culture that allows them to work together to make the most effective decisions for an organisation. While the leadership from the chair is crucial, it is the full participation of every board member that contributes the most to the effectiveness of a board.
Within each board, it is necessary to have a mix of strengths between members. For example, a value-adding board may have one member with experience in finances, one director who is a specialist in sales and marketing, another member who has general management experience, and a member with expertise within the industry of the organisation. Every director needs to contribute something unique and of value to the overall culture and vision of the board.
An effective board has:
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A strong board will be evenly balanced in several respects:
Because a board is made up of a diverse range of characters, the need to develop a strong culture is vital. Members don’t need to be friends, but they do need to be respected colleagues. Unlike most teams, dissent and robust individual opinion is an important trait on boards as it helps members consider all possible options in order to arrive at the best possible decision.
The chair plays an important role in developing the culture of the board and setting the mood of meetings. Other aspects which contribute to a strong culture are:
Induction of a director into the organisation (especially if they are outsiders) is vital and should occur as soon as possible. It will provide valuable insight into how the organisation operates, who the employees are, and what the goods or services are. In a large organisation the company secretary will organise the induction, while in a smaller one, it works more on a case-by-case basis.
It’s not the rules and regulations. It’s the way people work together.
Turning a good board into a great board, is no easy feat and depends on a whole host of issues to happen.
Some things which makes great boards: