The effectiveness of the board of directors is a crucial factor in an organization’s success. Boards that are effective manage the pillars in a systemic governance structure to ensure they are focused on the most important issues and obtaining accurate information and using their resources.
Effective communication and respectful debates that do not involve personal attacks are vital to ensuring board effectiveness. This is achievable through a variety methods such as phone calls, meetings and emails. It is important to keep in mind that communication styles differ between people and that personality and age differences can affect how messages are received.
It’s important to remember that the preferences and personalities of other board members will influence how you interact with each one. For instance older board members may appreciate phone calls, whereas younger professionals might not be able to call them back. To maximize the value of your interactions with other board members, you need to understand their preferred method of communication and follow it accordingly.
Board members should be prepared for every meeting by reading the documents and understanding the most important points of the agenda. Additionally they should be encouraged to participate in discussions and share their own ideas. This will help the board to gain better understanding of important issues and make more informed decision. This will increase the chances of coming up with sound solutions and cultivate an active participation culture among board members.