How to Be a Great Board Member

A good board member brings energy, expertise and passion to the board. They are aware of their obligations and establish the board cybersecurity direction for the company to meet its goals in business and fulfill legal obligations. They are familiar with the organization’s culture and operations vision, mission, and values. They also know the responsibilities and roles of the board and the guidelines for good governance.

It is vital that a successful board member is willing to challenge and question important decisions. This usually happens through questions or challenges that are designed to help the CEO identify the issue they might not have seen or think about the future than the CEO would, or encourage a new perspective. A great board member can do this in a manner that is respectful without coming off as personally offensive or threaty.

The best boards are populated by board members who are committed to the organization’s mission and encourage others to join in their service. They are also able to communicate effectively and make quick decisions. A good board member must be prepared for meetings on the board as well as other events. This includes arriving to the meeting with an complete knowledge of the agenda, board documents and committee reports, and having prepared questions for the meeting.

The ability to be a great board member is as much about attitude as it is about background, expertise or education. Exceptional board members are constantly thinking about how their actions can best serve the association and other board members. They don’t make debates personal and work to resolve conflicts, and can offer solutions that can bring opposing sides closer.