Don’t Make These 2 Common & Critical Faults!
At the Veblen Director Programme, we place a huge premium on ‘adding value’ as a board member. But it is critical that you understand what this is and more importantly what it is not.
Let’s start with the first common mistake.
In an attempt to contribute and add value, many board members assume it is useful to
If you think you’re going to get yourself a board seat by pointing out the problems in a company, it might be time to think again.
It really doesn’t take any talent to spot a problem.
Understanding how to solve the problem, with the resources available and within the context of the other existing priorities is where the value lies. Can you do that?
The first one will quickly sap the will of the Executive Team and lead to a deterioration of Board relations.
However, the second one is even more insidious.
What? How can that be a bad thing?
As a board member your words carry a lot of weight. Every time you read about, and share, a ‘good idea’ that some other company is doing, the executives hear ‘Drop everything you’re doing and try this’. It’s not helpful. There is no context.
Ideas are generally worthless, experience is very valuable. So sharing an idea that you personally have implemented and can share the pros and cons of is super useful. Sharing something that Facebook just implemented is… not.
The challenge with these 2 mistakes is that they are often made in good faith and with all the best intentions. It’s only when you’re on the receiving end of it that you discover just how frustrating and detrimental to the business they can be.
Look out for these behaviours with yourself and with other board members.
Have you seen these behaviours out in the wild, have you been responsible for them in the past? Let me know.
Callum
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Glenn Williams is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in establishing and managing retail operations, including franchise operations. After retiring in 2014, he served as a Business Broker for three years and later became an Advisor involved in restructuring New Zealand's fire services. With more than 20 years of active involvement in the New Zealand Institute of Directors, Glenn completed the Company Directors Course and became a Chartered Director in 2016. He has served on not-for-profit boards for over 10 years, including a role on an Audit and Risk Committee and as Deputy Chairman. Glenn's expertise and passion for governance make him a valuable addition to public company boards, where he seeks to leverage his extensive background and experience to create value.
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22 小时前I think it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you’re ‘adding value’ simply by pointing out problems or suggesting new ideas. With that being said, what is the best way for board members to ensure their contributions are truly impactful?
Visionary Thought Leader??Top Voice 2024 Overall??Awarded Top Global Leader 2024??CEO | Board Member | Executive Coach Keynote Speaker| 21 X Top Leadership Voice LinkedIn |Relationship Builder| Integrity | Accountability
1 天前Great insights shared here! Adding value as a board member is definitely crucial, and it's interesting to see the common mistakes that can hinder rather than help. Understanding the context and providing solutions, rather than just pointing out problems, is key. Also, the distinction between sharing personal experiences versus generic ideas is spot on. Looking forward to more valuable discussions on boardroom dynamics and governance.