In board meetings, top-tier leaders gather to discuss and debate strategic issues facing their organisations. These discussions have a direct impact on the direction of the organization and can affect everything from investor confidence to public opinion. It is important that board directors maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their meetings. This article provides suggestions on how to conduct board meetings in a way that encourages productive and enjoyable discussions.
Begin by welcoming and introducing board members to one another, particularly when meeting participants are new to the group. This sets the stage for a cooperative board meeting, which helps establish good boardroom etiquette, and encourages participation.
The meeting should begin and end in a timely manner, as it is a sign of respect for other directors’ time and discourages tardiness. This is especially important when meeting through virtual methods, where time management can be a challenge.
Avoid wasting time on perfunctory or routine issues like committee reports and voting. Limit these items to 25 percent of your meeting time. You can make the most of the time discussing strategies and other important topics.
It is important to clearly communicate the way decisions will be taken during the meeting (consensus, voting, or other method). This ensures that all board members understand the decision-making process and can take part in meaningful discussions.
Obtain feedback from board members on their level of satisfaction with the manner in which your organization conducts board meetings. You can do this by conducting informal conversations, or using polling tools and surveys. For instance how the structure of the board and content encourages lively discussion. You can also ask for them to rate the quality of meetings using a numerical scale.