How to Have a Great Board Meeting
April 28, 2024There is no doubt that coordinating a board meeting can be a time-consuming and frustrating job. If your meetings lack focus, structure or energy, it could cost you in terms of missed opportunities and loss of productivity. There are simple things you can do to ensure that your directors are fully engaged and actively participating in a successful board meeting.
Make sure you review your meetings at least Every Year
One of the most effective methods to improve your meetings is to collect feedback. At the conclusion of one or two of your annual meetings, have your board members take two sticky notes and write notes with a “+” for what parts of the meeting were good and an “-” for areas that could be improved upon. Then, ask them to put the notes onto a poster which they can put at the entrance, allowing everyone to determine what needs to be modified.
Control Your Time
Keep your meetings as brief as you can in order to ensure you have enough time for genuine discussions and decision-making. Avoid putting lengthy reports or “have to” items on your agenda. Consider breaking down the how to have a great board meeting detailed information from your board book into smaller discussion topics. You can also have your directors conduct their own research prior to the meeting and bring prepared questions to be discussed.
Board meetings can also be a place to boost the team’s energy and encourage to take action. Adding in “mission moments” to the meeting -the time when board members can listen to testimonials or hear stories about how your company is making an impact on people’s lives — can be an immense boost in energy for the group.