No matter who is the CEO, chair of the board or a fellow board member, a smooth and effective communication is vital for any business. However, when it comes down to the communication of board members, there are some common pitfalls that can cause frustration, miscommunication and eventually lower trust.
Board members often complain of a lack information, or are shocked and not feeling valued. This can cause a lot of damage to relationships and hamper the ability for a board member to make effective decisions.
One approach to address these issues is to ensure that communication with board members is conducted in various ways. Utilizing a board portal, email, instant messaging and video conferencing tools are excellent options to facilitate communication between board members during meetings. This means that less time spent on administrative tasks and more time to be allocated at the meeting for strategic discussions.
It’s also important to know the preferred style of communication of every board member. Some people are visual learners, whereas others prefer reading emails or make phone calls. This can help you to adapt your approach to different board members, and ensure that they receive the most relevant information, and also having their needs satisfied.
It is also crucial to engage with board members in an active manner, evaluating each issue’s urgency and determining the appropriate timeframe. For example when an issue arises that’s not on the agenda at the next board meeting, it may be best to defer discussion until a later time.