How to Address Common Board Members Communications Pitfalls

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Communication is essential to any company, whether it’s with the CEO, board chairman or fellow board members. There are common pitfalls when it comes board communication among members that can result in frustration, miscommunication, and ultimately diminished trust.

The most common complaints from board members involve an absence of information, misinformation or being shocked and not having their input valued. This can seriously damage relationships and undermine the ability for a board to take effective decisions.

One way to address these issues is to ensure that communication with board members occurs in various ways. To make it easier to communicate between board meetings, a board portal or instant messaging, video conferencing and email are an excellent option. This will mean less time to be spent on administrative tasks and more time is available during the meeting for strategic discussions.

It’s also important to determine the preferred communication style of every board member. For example, some people prefer to read, while others prefer reading emails or make phone calls. This will help you adapt your approach to different board members, ensuring that they are receiving the most relevant information and that their needs fulfilled.

It is also crucial to engage with board members in an active manner and evaluate the urgency of each matter and determining the right timeframe. If an issue arises that is not on the agenda at the next board meeting it may be best deferring the discussion until a later date.