Creating a 21st century board means making significant transitions towards more future-focused leadership behaviors and practices. Rethinking both how new directors are recruited and successfully retained can provide a progressive focus to a director search. Candidates whose backgrounds speak to these areas will ultimately bring a honed perspective for competitive … [Read more...]
3 Networking Questions to be Ready to Answer as a Board Candidate
Many board candidates are attending high-level corporate governance conferences and educational events. They meet other directors and have the chance to develop relationships that may lead to being considered for a future board seat. The best way to connect with professionals in this audience is to give them a very good reason. If you fail to specifically state your value … [Read more...]
3 Critical Areas to Focus on Before Your First Board Meeting
Starting a new directorship means you may be confronted with a range of challenges. They might include getting to know a group of new people or an unknown culture. Since new directors lack a window to see into how a particular board works, here are few areas of focus to help create early success: Know the People Learn each director’s background and ask about their … [Read more...]
When Emotions Run Strong in the Boardroom
There is a time when emotions run high in the boardroom. You “know” you are “right.” You “know” you are the one with the “truest” position. You are also on the road to gridlock. To be more effective, the goal is to alter your emotional tone, listen, and not attack. Some call this emotional intelligence; some call it truth-seeking habits; and others just plain old respect. … [Read more...]
Refresh Your Board – Now
For the first time in modern history, we now have technology affecting every single sector in the economy. From agriculture to shipping, companies take inputs and collect data to help drive business. This, as an example of the 21st century business environment, requires directors to be up-to-date and will most probably drive the addition of younger board members. It used to … [Read more...]
Is the Boardroom Your Career North Star?
If your career goals include a public company board seat, make the three lists discussed below to keep focused on your goal of becoming a director. This is a quick, easy way to keep your “North Star” priorities. Make time to update them monthly and stay on track. Win List This list includes new people you have met who are also on the journey to the boardroom. Maybe you shared … [Read more...]
3 Questions to Ask to Reduce Hidden Bias in Board Dialogue
Every board member, like every other person, has hidden biases. They might include weighing older director voices more than those of younger members, or vice versa. Board leaders, such as holding a board or committee chair position, have an important role. They must identify whether unconscious bias has crept into their thought processes and the board’s … [Read more...]
3 Steps to Get a Board Seat in 2014
If you want to get a board seat in 2014, then there are three key areas of focus that you need to prioritize in order to make it happen. Take these steps to position yourself as a viable director candidate: 1. Pay Attention to Your Self-signals Do you have a negative or positive voice that speaks to you as you progress toward your goal this year? Are you overstated or … [Read more...]
2013 Women in Business and the Gender Gap Statistics
A new year has begun, so let's take some time to review what happened for women in business and the gender pay gap during 2013. As I did in 2012, I went through the research-related articles published on Women on Business during 2013, and selected a collection of articles that provide a great overview of how the business world looked for women throughout the year. Follow the … [Read more...]
No Progress for Women in Business Says 2013 Census of Fortune 500
The results of the Catalyst 2013 Census of Fortune 500 Women Board Directors and 2013 Census of Fortune 500 Women Executive Officers and Top Earners were released this month along with a clear but disturbing message, "Still no progress after years of no progress." Ilene H. Lang, President and CEO of Catalyst, responded to the findings saying, “It’s hard to believe that at … [Read more...]