In board meetings, directors lay out their diverse perspectives and debate various ideas to reach a consensus on critical matters. These might be issues pertaining to the company’s policy, management appointments or even how to respond to crises. But getting a consensus is not as easy as it appears. It’s nearly impossible to make important decisions without the support of your board, and getting everyone on the same page can be a daunting task.
The first step is to create a framework that will ensure that each meeting is a success. That includes sending out materials for meetings at least one week prior to the meeting in order to give attendees the time to read and comprehend the materials. In addition, many boards now have an expectation of having an internal meeting that is brief prior to the actual board meeting in which they discuss the agenda items prior to the meeting.
The next step is to ensure that the objectives of the meeting are clearly defined. This helps to maintain focus and stimulate discussion, while ensuring the process of making decisions for the board is transparent.
In the final phase, you should encourage participation by asking for feedback after every meeting. This will help identify and address any issues in the way your board operates and ensure that they are on the right track towards meeting their objectives. Ideally, this will be done via surveys, anonymous polls, or facilitated discussions.
