5 Truths about Being a Board member you might not want to hear.
Sitting on a board might sound glamorous, but unless you’re prepared for the reality of the role, you’re going to get a nasty surprise.
When you know these are coming, it’s much easier to accept they are all part of the ride.
1. No one cares what you’ve achieved in the past.
People only care whether you are delivering value for them today. Give up on the idea that you deserve to be a board member. Instead focus on understanding, and solving, stakeholder problems.
2. You’re under more scrutiny than ever.
All decisions have consequences, and all stakeholders expect you to represent their best interests. On a Board there are a lot of stakeholders and they are all watching every decision you make. Get fantastic at articulating and documenting your decisions.
3. There is always another fire.
As soon as you solve one problem, another 3 will appear that will test you and stretch you and make you question why you ever agreed to the role.
Remember that golf would be a very dull game if you hit holes in one all the way round. Each fire is a chance to grow and build your experience.
4. Boardroom politics are real and can’t be ignored.
Generally large sums of money are involved when it comes to boardroom decisions, that often means people's wealth, reputations and ego’s are on the line. Power plays are not uncommon and you need to have your ear to the ground to understand what is going on and where allegiances are needed. Don’t underestimate this.
5. You are now playing at a different level.
Once you’ve been bitten by the bug of sitting on a Board it is hard to go back to working underneath one. Your job is to figure out how to leverage what you’re doing so that you can play on an even bigger field and deliver even bigger results (with ever more scrutiny and expectation!)
Being a board member means taking responsibility for many stakeholders and trying to do the right thing for all of them, even when it’s not necessarily the right thing for you.
Play this game well and ever greater opportunities will open up to you.
When it goes badly, as it will, dust yourself off and get back on the horse. Chalk it up to experience and rise to the next challenge.
Which number stood out for you?
Callum
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3 周What do you bring to the board
Small Business & Community Development Executive - Do It For The Neighborhood
3 周Great article!
Head of Client Service
3 周The shift from being an operator to a board member is a huge mindset adjustment. How do you think first-time board members can best prepare for the realities of the role?