Board meetings can be intimidating. Presenting your team's performance for scrutiny is often a stressful task. However, all too often business leaders forget a key factor: the board want you to succeed.
The pressure often makes leaders forget the value that board members can provide in return.
Here's what you should be requesting from your directors during the meeting:
1. Connections. Your directors are likely to be the best-connected people in your organisation. During the meeting, don’t be afraid to reach out and declare who you need to meet and if anyone can help establish that connection.
2. Differing opinions. It is always a great feeling if your board meeting is in general agreement, especially if they are agreeing with you. However, always make it clear that “you would like to hear from anyone with a differing point of view”.
3. Previous experiences. There is nothing new under the sun. Chances are your directors have gone through these situations before and have probably already done what you are proposing. Ask them to share their previous experiences and what they may have done differently.
4. Accountability. If you see a particular action as vitally important, let the board know and ask them to hold you accountable at the next board meeting.
5. Benchmarks. Let the board know what your baseline is. Ask if they are involved with any other companies that have benchmarks which they feel could be adopted here.
6. Approval. Ask for approval to move forward with initiatives that you feel are important and ask if there are any objections.
7. Blind spots. You don’t know what you don’t know. Ask them if they feel you have missed something either on a particular topic or on the agenda as a whole.
TAKEAWAY: Consider 7 suggested things you should be asking for ahead of your next board meeting. Not only will they help you get more value out of the meeting, but they will also demonstrate that you possess key leadership qualities.