No matter who is the CEO, board chair or another board member, effective communication is essential for any business. However, when it comes to communication between board members, there are some common pitfalls that can cause a lot of frustration, misunderstandings and ultimately diminished trust.
Board members often complain of lack of information, or are taken by surprise and not feeling valued. This can affect relationships and make it difficult for boards of directors to make sound decisions.
One approach to address these issues is to ensure that communication with board members happens in many different ways. To make it easier to communicate between board meetings, a portal for board members or video conferencing, instant messaging and email are all good options. This can help reduce time devoted to administrative tasks and allows more room for discussion during the meeting.
It’s also important to be aware of each board member’s preferred style of communication. Some people are visual learners, while others prefer to read emails or phone calls. This will help you adapt your approach to various board members, making sure http://boardroomtalk.org that they receive the most relevant information and that their needs satisfied.
It’s also crucial to communicate with board members in a proactive manner and assessing the urgency of each matter and the appropriate timeframe for response. If an issue arises that is not on the agenda of the next board meeting, it might be better to postpone the discussion until a later date.