Board of Directors Blog Posts
Board of Directors blogs focus on how to become a productive board member and how to set guidelines for governance priorities and best practices. They also address issues that are specific to employee stock ownership plans ("ESOP")-owned companies, as well as other issues relevant for the board of directors generally.
Good governance is a board that is curious, engaged in the larger objectives of the company, and able to navigate a market or the world in which the business is looking to make a difference. It also means that the board is encouraged to speak out when things go wrong and is coachable. It is a structure that balances power in a clear way. Unfortunately it isn't always working well.
Many of the people on boards are bored and unengaged. This could be because of a lack of enthusiasm, the culture of their company, or their own personalities. Some board members don't know what their job is. Some are aware that they're not performing at the highest level.
This article is aimed at the second group of people, the ones who have been offered (or are taking) seats on governance boards, but who have a hard time being productive and engaged. This isn't a slam on Johns and Daves but rather a re-examination of the process that leads to board positions (and C-level positions). The article offers some building blocks to change the game. Diversity of thinking is most often derived from diversity of age, gender race, ethnicity, context and experiences.