No matter who is the CEO, board chair or a fellow board member, effective communication is vital for any business. However, when it comes to the communication of board members there are common pitfalls that can cause frustration, confusion and ultimately decreased trust.
Board members frequently complain about lack of information, getting misled or taken by surprise and not feeling valued. This can harm relationships and make it difficult for a board of directors to make good decisions.
Communication with board members can be done in many different ways. To facilitate communication between board meetings, a portal for https://boardroomtalk.org board members and video conferencing, instant messaging and email are all excellent options. This means less time to be spent on administrative tasks and more time to be allocated at the meeting for strategic discussions.
It’s also important that you know the preferred style of communication of every board member. Some prefer to read, while others prefer to read email or phone calls. This will help you customize your approach for different board members, ensuring that they receive the most relevant information, and also having their needs fulfilled.
It’s also crucial to communicate with board members in a proactive way, evaluating the urgency of each issue and the appropriate response timeframe. For example If an issue is raised that isn’t on the agenda for the next board meeting, it might be best to delay discussion until a later date.