A Board Director is an executive member of the board that gives direction and leadership. They help define high-level strategies as well as oversee the management team, and provide coaching for executive leadership. They may also be responsible for corporate governance, risk and resilience management, mergers and acquisitions, as well as the development of culture and talent.
The most effective boards are comprised of an array of backgrounds such as ethnicity, skill and gender. This helps to foster new perspectives that challenge assumptions. They also believe in collaboration and communication to ensure that all opinions are heard – even those that may be opposed. Board Directors are accountable towards the organization, and must act in the company’s best interests at all times. They sign a statement of conflict of interest and receive reimbursement for board meeting expenses.
The chairperson is the chief of the board, and is charged with facilitating productive meetings as well as developing strong relationships among members. A successful chairperson can create an agenda, guide discussions and stimulate discussions that are constructive, while making sure that everyone is actively involved. They usually work closely with the CEO and have a direct impact on the way the board operates. They might even achieve a level of fame, like Apple founder Steve Jobs and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. This could attract attention and prestige to their personal brand. They should be able to meet all of these competing demands while remaining focused on their company’s mission and goals.