In board meetings, directors present their different perspectives and debate various ideas to reach the consensus they need on crucial issues. These may include the company’s policies, management appointments or even addressing crises. But reaching agreement isn’t as easy as it looks. It’s almost impossible to take significant decisions without the support of your board and getting everyone on the same page is a difficult task.
The first step is establishing the structure that will ensure that each meeting produces maximum results. This means sending out meeting materials at least a week prior to the meeting to give attendees enough time to read and understand them. In addition some boards have an expectation of having an internal meeting prior to the actual board meeting, where they discuss the agenda items before the actual meeting.
Next, make sure the meeting’s goals are clearly stated. This will help keep the focus and stimulate discussion and ensures that the decisions made by the board are transparent and efficient.
Encourage participation by requesting feedback at the conclusion of every meeting. This will allow you to determine and resolve any issues that arise with the way your board functions and help them stay on track towards achieving their goals. Ideally, this will be conducted through surveys, anonymous polls, or facilitated discussions.