From Apathy to Action: How to Improve Engagement as a Board Director

48% of directors believe that at least one of their fellow board members should be replaced, with 19% suggesting the replacement of two or more (PwC, 2023 ).

Engagement is one of the most critical solutions to unlocking strong board performance. It hinges on directors' dedication to meeting preparation, active participation in board discussions, and diligent follow-up on action items.

The negative effects of low engagement levels are a hidden threat for many boards. As a result of this issue, the board's morale and productivity may plunge if even a single member starts to lose interest.?

What if we lived in a society where delay, apathy, or even inactivity became the norm, and a lack of participation now plagues gatherings that were previously lively and engaging??Well, this is the risk when this apparently company-level problem snowballs into a major societal problem.

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Looking at Engagement…

But what do we talk about when we refer to "engagement"? Well, in this particular context, we're referring to the active, consistent participation and interest of board members in the company's strategic matters, their responsiveness to issues, and their willingness to contribute meaningfully to discussions and decisions.

You might wonder why sometimes directors become disengaged from their roles on the board – or you have also found yourself in one of these situations:

1. Unclear Roles and Responsibilities: If you're unsure about what's expected of you, it's natural to feel less connected and engaged.
2. Lack of Training or Direction: It's challenging to contribute effectively and stay motivated without adequate guidance or ongoing development.
3. Frustration with Progress: Slow or seemingly absent progress can be demoralizing, leading to disinterest.
4. Inadequate Recognition: Not feeling valued or recognized for your contributions can diminish your enthusiasm and commitment.
5. Internal Discord: Disagreements and a lack of team cohesion can create an uncomfortable environment, discouraging active participation.?
6. Board Diversity: You may become disengaged when you feel isolated, particularly in instances where diverse perspectives are brought in but undervalued, leading to difficulty in breaking through existing groupthink environments within the board.
7. Stale Board Culture: If the board lacks innovation, a sense of purpose, or a positive culture, you may lose interest and disengage over time.

Unlocking the full potential of a board lies in fostering an environment of active and meaningful engagement among directors. As the stewards of an organization's strategic direction, directors play a pivotal role in shaping its success. Consider the strategies below to elevate your engagement as a director.

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1.??? Ask the Right Questions

It starts with you, board members, stepping into a more proactive and engaged role.

Still, in many boardrooms, posing a challenging question or questioning a fundamental assumption can require remarkable courage, especially when vested interests favouring the status quo. Yet, precisely in these moments of inquiry and challenge, we can uncover our greatest insights.

Remember, the board's role is not just oversight; it’s foresight and insight. It's about being the strategic compass guiding the organization towards uncharted territories and new opportunities.

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2.??? Technology to Build Togetherness

Zoom, Teams, Google Meets – and so many other technological platforms have altered our power to improve efficiency, foster teamwork, and keep people engaged.

Virtual scheduling platforms simplify organizing meetings, ensuring everyone can find a time that suits their busy schedules. Once a meeting is set, video conferencing technology enables us to connect face-to-face, regardless of geographical barriers, fostering a more personal and collaborative environment.

Plus, centralized communication platforms?consolidate all board-related communications into one central location to keep everyone informed and on the same page. We can keep the conversation going and make decisions more quickly by sustaining connection even when meetings aren't in session.

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3.??? Integrate Diversity

Opening the door to a more dynamic and challenging boardroom starts with diversifying the composition of your company's board. ?The diversity of thought in a board where members share similar demographics and experiences tends to be limited.

Plus, it becomes easy for directors to disengage, allowing others to speak for them. The conversation can become predictable, and the board may miss out on innovative viewpoints.

Yet, a board with a broader demographic spread introduces a multitude of ways to think and approach issues. It means problems can be tackled from multiple angles, leading to more comprehensive and practical solutions. Directors are prompted to be more engaged, not just passively listening but actively defending their points of view, learning from their colleagues, and collaboratively crafting impactful strategies.

So, the key to a lively, effective board lies in its composition.

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4.??? Acknowledge the Efforts of Fellow Board Members

We all know the value of gratitude, but the smaller gestures often go unnoticed, which means more than acknowledging the big achievements, like meeting a fundraising goal or contributing to a significant event. It's equally important to recognize the smaller, impactful contributions– bringing a novel idea to the table, connecting with a new donor, or offering valuable insights during discussions.

A simple yet heartfelt handwritten card or a personalized email expressing appreciation can mean a great deal. These tokens of gratitude inspire and motivate us to continue making meaningful contributions.

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5.??? Become an Active Mentor

When onboarding new directors, the standard practice usually involves the lead director guiding them through the basics of our operations and the nuances of our business. But we can do so much more.

As experienced directors, let's take the initiative to mentor new members beyond these initial steps. We can strengthen our collective expertise and skill sets by networking and sharing knowledge among ourselves and with directors from other organizations.

Great directors understand that building relationships within the board is just as important as the business itself.

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6.??? Start or Join a Board Committee

Committees serve a dual purpose. For the board as a whole, committees bolster our accountability to stakeholders. By building a structure where outside directors work separately from management on certain decisions, we ensure a balance of power and perspective – quite important for objective decision-making and maintaining the trust of our stakeholders.

But individual directors provide a focused area of responsibility – and a greater opportunity for higher engagement. This isn't just about attending meetings; it's about being accountable for a specific task or area of our governance.

As a domino effect, this higher heightened responsibility enhances your contribution to the board and, by extension, to the organization. It's a platform to demonstrate your skills, apply your expertise, and make significant contributions.

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7.??? Listen, Listen & Listen!

Effective communication and decision-making are rooted in listening more than speaking. By genuinely hearing each other, we foster robust and insightful discussions.

An exceptional board member understands the importance of balance in conversation, ensuring that all voices are heard. The result? Minimized conflict and more efficient collaboration, mainly when opinions differ.

Respectful engagement and listening for understanding are the keys to reaching a consensus and maintaining a productive board environment.

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8.??? Always Try to Learn More about the Business!

Beyond familiarizing yourself with the board book, being a top-performing director means actively seeking additional knowledge. Suppose your expertise is in human resources; engaging a finance expert to understand financial statements better can be immensely beneficial.

Particularly for new directors, thorough preparation is vital. To become truly engaged with the dynamics of their company, first-time directors should anticipate dedicating more time to understanding its current state than experienced directors.

You aim to attend meetings ready to contribute, avoiding needing others to use valuable meeting time to bring you up to speed. Your preparedness and informed participation positively impact not just your performance but the overall effectiveness of our board.

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9.??? Be a Team Player

As a board member, you are actually an essential part of a cohesive team. Working effectively together involves a readiness to compromise, openly share ideas, and stand by the board’s collective decisions. This teamwork aspect is fundamental to our board's functioning.

In this team, every voice matters. The diverse experiences and insights each member brings are what make our board robust and capable of navigating complex challenges.

Also, engagement means being proactive outside of formal meetings. It involves staying informed about the latest developments in our industry, understanding the broader market context in which we operate, and being prepared to discuss these factors concerning our strategic objectives.

Engaging with fellow board members informally, whether it's through one-on-one conversations or small group discussions, can foster a deeper sense of team unity and mutual understanding.

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Bottom Line

Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr pointed out, "A good Board of Directors team is one where ideas are flowing fluidly - and where each idea is met with an initial welcome, an intellectual challenge, an expression of gratitude, a rigorous scrutiny and a readiness for action.”?

But to achieve all of these aspects, the first step is genuine, powerful engagement.

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