Tips for Conducting Board Meetings

During board meetings top-tier leaders gather to discuss and debate strategic issues that face their organisations. The outcomes of these discussions determine the organization’s direction and affect everything from investor confidence to public perception. This is why it’s crucial for directors of boards to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their meetings. This article gives suggestions on how to conduct board meetings in a way that promotes productive and lively discussions.

Begin by welcoming and introducing every board member especially if they’re new to the meeting. This sets the stage for a more collaborative board meeting, establishes an appropriate etiquette for the boardroom and encourages participation.

Begin and end the meeting at the right time, which shows respect for fellow directors’ time and discourages tardiness. This is particularly crucial when a meeting is conducted through virtual methods, where time managing can be a challenge.

Don’t waste time with routine or unimportant items, such as voting and committee reports. Limit these activities to 25 percent of the time you meet and take the remainder of the time discussing strategy and other important topics.

It is important to communicate clearly the way in which decisions will be made during the meeting (consensus voting or another method). This ensures that all board members understand the process of decision-making and are able to be a part of discussions that are meaningful.

Get feedback from your board members about their satisfaction with how you conduct board meetings. You can do this through informal conversations, or by using surveys and polling tools. For example, you might inquire whether the structure of the meeting and content permit for deep discussion, or ask them to rate different qualities of a meeting using a numbered scale.

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