What Makes a Great Board Member?
A good board member will be an active volunteer who is devoted to the association, company and its mission. They don’t hesitate to see this site ask difficult questions, discuss their expertise with other board members and assume the role of a leader within committees. They also look for opportunities to improve their governance methods and learn new skills through workshops and classes on leadership.
A good board member is aware of the time commitment required for board work. They make sure to attend every meeting of the board and committees. They are active in committee work and provide assistance and feedback when needed. They also look for ways of making the board more efficient, such as making use of tools like scheduling software and platforms that allow for quick document sharing.
The most important trait of a good board member is their ability to exercise good judgment. They don’t let small-scale issues hinder a board meeting or distract from the organisation’s mission. They are able to see the bigger picture and offer a valuable perspective from outside that is crucial for decision making. They have a thorough understanding of the industry as a whole which can impact the strategy options, M&A, hiring and firing decisions and fundraising, as well as legal issues and organizational design. A good sense of judgment requires a lot of experience, cultivated from experience in tough situations, from learning from mistakes and also the ability to discern. Board members with a lack of it could be a liability to your company.