President & Co-Founder, Women In Leadership Global II CEO & Founder, Dialogue Age II Innovate Finance ‘Women in FinTech Powerlist' II Executive Performance Coach
In the popular imagination, a corporate board seat is often seen as one of the most comfortable positions in business. Board members seem to be well-compensated for attending a few meetings a year, nodding in agreement as the CEO expounds on strategy. Nothing could be further from the truth. The role of the board has changed from traditional backward-looking oversight to an engaged asset to help move the business forward. Directors are expected to help executives steer through geopolitical tensions, rising inflation, climate change, and technological disruption. The bar has been raised significantly. What distinguishes the boards that lead from those that merely follow? 1. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮, i.e. the company’s most critical issues, such as strategy, leadership succession, and major risks, and avoid getting bogged down in operational details. 2. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 and actively engage in shaping management's strategies, not only approving them. They ask the tough questions and challenge assumptions. 3. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, industry dynamics, and competitive landscape deeply to ask the right questions. 4. 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 to ensure that executive compensation and incentives are aligned with the company’s long-term goals, driving the right behaviors and helping achieve strategic objectives. 5. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, looking for members with diverse skills and perspectives, not echo chambers. 6. 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, ensuring that the company is prepared for potential disruptions. #leadership #boardroom #strategicthinking
as always - soooo great points Klaudia Gorczyca 🤍
Meaningful insights Klaudia! Thanks
So true 💯💯💯
C-Suite Innovation Advisor I AI & Tech Strategist I NED I Financial Services & Automotive
2moGreat points Klaudia. Board Members are constantly upskilling and obtaining new qualifications, e.g. in topic of ESG