What I'm Reading – Sara Templeton

Building a resilient, sustainable and equitable future for an entire city might feel like a big ask for most, but for Ōtautahi Christchurch-based Sara Templeton MInstD, it’s top of mind.

In 2012 she received a Civic Earthquake Award for her services to the community and contribution to Canterbury’s earthquake recovery. And with significant experience in infrastructure and ESG, the director and city councillor holds the climate change portfolio, and sits on the board of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd. 

A strong advocate for prevention and support of those targeted by online harassment (cyberbullying), in 2022 she used the Harmful Digital Communications Act to unmask the people behind fake accounts, including the individual responsible for harassing her online.

Today, she continues to contribute to this space, assisting with research, and speaking at conferences. Her experience reinforced the need to submit proposed changes to the Companies Register to enable directors to have their addresses removed from the public facing website, as she did not want others to face the same issues.

 “I had been doxed online and had to have security cameras installed,” Templeton said to the select committee regarding the extent of the cyberbullying that took place. 

This week, the down-to-earth Cantabrian shares a must-read that addresses what it means to counteract systemic sexism, biases and deeply ingrained social conditioning, with The Guardian referring to it as “an optimistic call to arms for anyone who cares about creating a fairer society”.

What is the name of the governance/business book you’re reading, or can recommend? 

I was given a copy of The Authority Gap by Mary Ann Sieghart last year by a fellow director who had noticed some of the challenges I was facing in my public-facing role as a city councillor. Given the heightened awareness and increased discourse around gender bias in business, politics and other sectors, I highly recommend this book to others to help us better understand the issues – and start to address them. 

How would you describe the style of writing? 

The book is an easy one to read, with a conversational style and a mix of clear-cut evidence, implications and solutions. It’s also non-judgemental and designed for anyone who wants to know more about how unconscious bias can impact our decision making and limit opportunities for individuals and businesses. There are also some great ‘real-life’ examples that highlight the issues and could be useful in creating change in this space.

What drew you to the book?  

I’m really solutions focussed and with a subheading: “Why women are still taken less seriously than men, and what we can do about it,” it was clear that I was going to get more than just an academic outline of the issues.  

What resonated with you the most?  

It’s realisation that all of us have bias that impacts how we interact with others and the world, men and women alike, as we’ve all grown up with the same societal expectations.  

One of the clearest is in how we label men and women in different ways, even when their behaviours are the same. Confidence in a man leads people to assume that they are competent, but confidence in a woman is perceived as arrogance. A man who is not talkative is businesslike, yet a woman is labelled as aloof. It’s frustrating, but recognising these biases enables us to adjust our expectations and realise opportunities we may not have had otherwise.  

What is something you’ve taken away from the book that now follows you into your board roles?  

The importance of clearly articulating challenges when they arise, and building a shared understanding of how it impacts a board's ability to achieve the best outcomes. 

How does reading feed into your continued governance practice/ learning? 

I’m enjoying a wide range of governance books at the moment including How Big Things Get Done and Utopia for Realists. Day-to-day, books I discover through contacts on LinkedIn have been a useful way to dip into new ideas. I’m also adding more books from ‘What I’m Reading’ to my list for the upcoming summer break! 

Who should read this book and at what stage in their governance career?

I would recommend this book to men and women, and for both the ‘old hands and the new ones because it’s often difficult for those who have been part of a system for a long time to recognise the issues. But being alert to unconscious bias around the table can bring much better outcomes for board dynamics and decision making. 

For women directors, it’s not always an easy read, especially as we recognise situations we have been in ourselves – none of us are immune to unconscious bias. However, the tools outlined in the book can help to build the confidence to tackle some of the challenges, and hopefully, build a network of allies.  

When you’re not reading books on business or governance, what kind of books are you likely to pick up?  

I read a wide range of books but the one I find myself recommending most is The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. It’s a novel set in the near future and follows several key characters as they navigate life in a world increasingly impacted by climate change. Robinson is a highly regarded science-fiction author whose recent books bring realistic possible futures to life in a way that is engaging and motivating. 

What are some of the most pertinent governance issues at the top of mind for you, and why? 

CCHL have recently published our first Climate Related Disclosures, and we are spending a significant amount of time looking at how the risks and opportunities can be best addressed to ensure the best outcomes for the city as a whole  

Governing in an increasingly uncertain world takes a much more active approach than many boards have encountered in the past and means that continual upskilling is important for all directors so that our businesses can remain relevant and resilient into the future.  

What has been the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about yourself and others while being on a board?  

For a while, I only saw ‘diversity of thought’ being used to justify people engaging with those who they felt comfortable with but maybe had a different area of expertise. I’ve recently discovered how crucial true diversity of thought can be, with different perspectives and ways of seeing the world – and that it’s most important when making big decisions, or in times of crisis.  

If there was anything you want to see more of at the board table, what would it be, and why?  

Diversity and an openness to stay in a place of discomfort in the early stages, as people get to know each other’s strengths and perspectives on a board. Our world is rapidly changing, and boards will benefit from having a wider range of views and skill sets to tackle those challenges, and navigate their companies through to a more resilient future.  

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In 2025 we are broadening the scope for our reviews to include podcasts, films and other multimedia that inspires you as a director. 

If you would like to submit a book review for our 2025 schedule, please contact: sonia.yee@iod.org.nz