The manner in which the board meetings are conducted can have a significant impact on how well the discussion goes and how productive they are. To get the most out of each meeting, it is crucial to establish clear expectations for how meetings are supposed to operate and how decisions will be made.
In general, board meetings shouldn’t be focused on reading boardroomate.com/how-to-improve-board-performance/ reports. Instead, the chairs of committees should read their reports in advance and present them at the meeting. The board will then discuss each report and the information contained within it within the context of the larger goals of the company.
For productive conversations board members must be able speak freely and openly. This also means that board members must respect other members the right to speak. Although there are exceptions interruptions to other board members is generally regarded as poor form.
A common mistake is to present a problem or issue for discussion without having a clear recommendation about what the board should do. This can make the discussion feel aimless and long. Instead, begin with a general plan for action and then let everyone weigh in on the pros and cons of each idea.
A board secretary or another experienced person to take notes during meetings can ensure that important information is not lost. But, it is crucial to communicate clearly how the board will arrive at its decisions–whether by consensus or by voting. Also, who is responsible for the preparation of the minutes.
