Communication is crucial for any company, whether it’s with the CEO, board chairman or fellow board members. There are common pitfalls in board member communications that can cause frustration, confusion, and ultimately, a loss of trust.
Some of the most common complaints from board members comprise insufficient information, feeling confused or being taken by surprise and not being valued. This can cause a lot of damage to relationships and make it difficult for a board to take sound decisions.
One method to address these issues is to ensure that communication with board members happens in a variety of ways. To facilitate communication between board meetings, a board portal useful site or video conferencing, instant messaging, and email are all great options. This means less time spent on administrative tasks, and more time to be devoted to strategic discussions.
It’s also crucial to understand the preferred method of communication for each board member’s style of communication. For example, some people prefer to be visual learners, while others prefer reading emails or make phone calls. This will allow you to customize your approach for different board members, ensuring that they are receiving the most relevant information, and also having their needs fulfilled.
It’s also essential to communicate with board members in a proactive manner, evaluating the urgency of each matter and the appropriate timeframe to respond. For example when an issue arises that’s not on the agenda at the next board meeting, it might be better to put off the discussion until a later date.