Working as a board of directors
This technique can be used for boards of directors or other high level groups such a programme boards or stakeholder reference groups.

Hypothesis

Any board has (at least) two key ways in which it needs to engage with the materials presented to it: collaboration mode and challenge mode. It is important to choose the correct mode for any given situation. Many boards identify one of these modesearly and develop strong skills in this area but this can lead to a loss of skills and practice in the other mode.

Collaboration mode

In this mode you are working together as equals, everyone brings something useful to the discussion and your focus is on solving a problem together. Here you are looking for what might be possible, what are the innovative opportunities, what action could you take to support the management?

Challenge mode

In this mode the executive is seeking to challenge the management to test the practicality, sustainability or effectiveness of a proposed operation, project or programme. Here you are looking for what might go wrong and how this can be changed into an opportunity to do something even better.

Useful tips in both modes

  • Start from a position of not knowing and be humble. There are no ready made answers and there will be a myriad of different answers for each situation.
  • Develop a spirit of curiosity. This will encourage questions; enjoy the discovery and learning.
  • Learn to be more comfortable with ambiguity. Get started anyway!
  • Keep the Disability Equality principle ‘nothing about us without us’ at the front of your mind. Make it possible for people to be involved from the very start.
  • You are not alone, find others seeking to learn and work with them.

Simple ways to improve effectiveness

For each agenda item, indicate whether challenge or collaboration mode is being requested (e.g. with a suitable emoticon).

Hold away days at which the board can practice one or both modes of working to hone their skills.

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For a more detailed analysis and advice see: The Fish Rots from The Head: The Crisis in our Boardrooms: Developing the Crucial Skills of the Competent Director byBob Garratt, 2010.