Whether it’s the CEO, board chair or another board member, communicating well is essential for any business. However, when it comes down to the communication of board members there are a few common mistakes that can cause a lot of frustration, misunderstandings and ultimately less trust.
Board members often complain about a lack information, being misled, or being caught off-guard and not feeling valued. This can seriously damage relationships and hamper the ability for a board to take sound decisions.
Communication with board members can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Utilizing a portal for board members, instant messaging, email and video conferencing tools are all excellent options to facilitate the communication between board members between meetings. This can help reduce the time spent on administrative tasks and makes more room for strategic discussions at the meeting.
It’s https://boardroomtalk.org/board-of-directors-composition-best-practices/ also important to understand the preferred method of communication for each board member’s style of communication. For example, some people prefer to read, while others prefer reading emails or make phone calls. This can help you tailor your approach to the different board members. You can ensure that they receive the most relevant information and their needs are met.
It’s also important to communicate with board members in a proactive way and evaluate the urgency of each issue and the appropriate timeframe for responding. For instance when an issue arises that’s not scheduled at the next board meeting, it could be better to postpone discussion until a future date.