How to Lift Your Board Performance in 2025: Key Strategies for High-Performing Directors

As a board director, your performance in the boardroom directly impacts organisational success. Too often, directors simply do the basics—attend meetings, skim board papers, and nod along to discussions. To truly excel, you must elevate your commitment, preparation, and engagement beyond the bare minimum. Here’s how you can lift your board performance and stand out as a high-performing director in 2025:

1. Allocate Time to Go Beyond the Basics

Effective board performance begins with time management and prioritisation. While reading board papers and attending meetings are fundamental, they are just the starting point. To add real value, you need to:

• Be informed about industry trends: Stay up-to-date on market dynamics, legislative changes, and emerging risks that could impact the organisation.
• Understand the financial health: Go deeper into financial reports, ratios, and forecasts.
• Engage with external resources: Read industry publications, white papers, and thought leadership relevant to your board’s sector.

High-performing directors carve out time to immerse themselves in the broader context of the organisation, making them valuable contributors to strategic conversations.

2. Prioritise In-Person Engagement

While virtual attendance has its place, in-person board meetings offer richer opportunities for connection and collaboration. Face-to-face interactions facilitate:

• Sidebar conversations that uncover unspoken concerns or opportunities.
• Better non-verbal communication and rapport building.
• Stronger engagement: Directors attending virtually may struggle to stay fully present, diminishing the quality of dialogue.

Whenever possible, prioritise in-person attendance to maximise your effectiveness and foster stronger relationships with fellow directors.

3. Roll Up Your Sleeves in Committee Work

Committees are the engine room of board activity, driving strategy, governance, and risk management. To make a real impact:

• Be proactive in committee meetings: Offer ideas, ask insightful questions, and challenge assumptions.
• Dedicate additional time: Many committee discussions require follow-up or preparation outside of formal meetings.
• Champion critical initiatives: Whether it’s business continuity planning, risk oversight, or financial strategy, take ownership of key deliverables.

Committees are where your leadership and expertise can truly shine. Be the director who adds depth and direction to committee work.

4. Build Strong Relationships Through One-on-One Meetings

Don’t underestimate the power of personal connections. High-performing directors invest time in:

• Meeting fellow board members individually: This fosters trust, builds rapport, and uncovers shared goals.
• Understanding diverse perspectives: Private conversations often reveal valuable insights and alignment opportunities.
• Collaborating beyond meetings: Strong relationships make it easier to drive consensus and resolve conflicts during formal discussions.

Taking the time for one-on-one engagement demonstrates your commitment to teamwork and collective success.

5. Embrace Feedback and Peer Assessments

Board performance improves when directors hold each other accountable. Consider:

• Formal performance reviews: Schedule annual board performance assessments to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Peer-to-peer feedback: Create opportunities for directors to provide constructive feedback in a collaborative, respectful environment.
• Self-reflection: Regularly evaluate your own contributions and seek advice on how to improve.

An open culture of feedback fosters better decision-making and creates a high-performing board environment.

6. Lead by Example

Excellence is contagious. As a high-performing director, you inspire others to rise to your level of professionalism, commitment, and preparation. Set the tone by:

• Being prepared: Read materials thoroughly and come to meetings with thoughtful contributions.
• Demonstrating integrity: Uphold the highest ethical standards in all boardroom dealings.
• Championing continuous learning: Stay informed about governance best practices and encourage others to do the same.

When you lead by example, you position yourself as a trusted and respected member of the board, paving the way for future opportunities.

Conclusion

Lifting your board performance requires focus, preparation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. By allocating time, prioritising engagement, contributing in committees, building strong relationships, embracing feedback, and leading by example, you’ll not only elevate your own performance but also enhance the board's collective impact.

2025 is the year to refine your approach, stand out as a high-performing director, and position yourself for future success.

Are you ready to elevate your board performance? Explore Tiger Boards’ Advisory Services to access personalised support, leadership coaching, and board performance insights. Whether you’re a seasoned director or building your board portfolio, we can help you achieve your goals. Visit the Tiger Boards Director Registry https://tigerboards.com.au/board-director-registry/ to discover current board opportunities and position yourself as the high-performing director every board needs. Book a consultation with Kylie Hammond here: www.calendly.com/kyliehammond/tigerboards Let’s make 2025 your breakthrough year.