19 Nov How to Address Common Board Members Communications Pitfalls

No matter who is the CEO, board chair or another board member, effective communication is essential for any business. However, when it comes to board members communications, there are some common mistakes which can lead to frustration, misunderstandings and ultimately diminished trust.

Some of the most frequent complaints from board members comprise the lack of information, misinformation or being taken by surprise and not being valued. This can affect http://boardroomtalk.org relationships and make it difficult for a board of directors to take sound decisions.

Communication with board members can be accomplished in many different ways. Using a board portal, email, instant messaging and video conferencing tools are all great options to help facilitate communication with board members between meetings. This means less time to be used for administrative tasks and more time to be allocated during the meeting for strategic discussions.

It’s also important that you know the preferred style of communication of each board member. For instance, some prefer to be visual learners, while others prefer to read emails or phone calls. This will help you modify your approach to the different board members, ensuring that they receive the most relevant information and have their requirements fulfilled.

It’s also important to communicate with board members in a proactive manner by assessing the urgency of each matter and the appropriate response timeframe. If a topic is brought up that is not in the agenda of the next board meeting, it may be best to defer the discussion to a later time.