Governance Corner

I am due to present to our board chairs in the coming couple of weeks on the topic of decision making. Looking over my Australian Institute of Directors course notes on the topic highlighted some real gems for me:

A critical element in good governance is a sense of “team” according to AICD. The reference to team means both board and management.

Team quality elements are as follows:

• A diversity of skills and experience
• An openness to alternatives
• Trust
• An independent mindset
• A willingness to question and challenge respectfully

It’s not necessarily about what we individually bring to a board, but what collectively we bring to the board. This is achieved through listening, being respectful of everyone’s ideas and views and creating a diverse inclusive board culture and environment

Responsibility for a board’s collective effectiveness does not rest solely with the chair. The board’s collective effectiveness is all directors’ mutual responsibility. Together, directors should take whatever necessary steps to ensure individual differences in coping with complexity among group members are managed in a way that accords with good decision making for the organisation. (AICD Course Notes, page 89)

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians provides a great example of exactly this. I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and apply this principle to your own board – with Christ always at the centre.

Yours in His service

Paul