When board composition is lopsided the company suffers. A board needs balance and it should complement the strengths of the management team. In addition to balance among the various business disciplines (sales, engineering, finance, etc.), the board needs balance in problem solving and thinking styles. When presented with a challenge, each style contributes to arriving at a well-reasoned and effective response.
The Language of Commitment
Purposeful commitment is based on understanding, alignment and belief in the goal. Purposeful commitment grows out of a healthy culture and has the greatest likelihood of achieving sustainable success. When the leader engages the team to collaboratively define the goal, and all members contribute to the path forward, then as a team they will purposely commit to the outcome.
First, Re-write the Board Meeting Formula
Active Listener or Active Talker?
When non-executive board members become "Active Talkers," they forget that management also has knowledge and experience, and may have already explored the proposed directives. This scenario can create friction between management and the board, and impede teamwork and open discussion.
Active listening is a technique for probing and asking questions to ensure that all of the available information is on the table and a board member has a complete understanding of the situation before offering their contribution.