19 Nov How to Address Common Board Members Communications Pitfalls

Communication is essential for any business, regardless of whether it’s with the CEO or board chairman, or with fellow board members. There are some common pitfalls when it comes board communication among members that can result in frustration, confusion, and ultimately a loss of trust.

The most common complaints from board members include insufficient information, misinformation or being surprised and not being valued. This can harm relationships and make it difficult for a board of directors to take sound decisions.

One way to address these issues is to make sure that communication with board members happens in various ways. To make it easier to communicate between board meetings, a board portal and video conferencing, instant messaging, and email are all an excellent option. This helps reduce time spent on administrative tasks and makes more room for discussion during the meeting.

It’s also important that you know the preferred style of communication of every board member. For example, some people prefer visual learning, whereas others prefer reading emails or phone calls. This will allow you to tailor your approach to the different board members. You boardroomtalk.org/how-to-start-running-a-business-with-a-data-room-virtual-for-startups/ will ensure that they receive the most relevant information and that their requirements are fulfilled.

It’s also important to communicate with board members in a proactive manner by assessing the urgency of each issue and the appropriate response timeframe. For example in the event that an issue comes up that isn’t on the agenda for the next board meeting, it might be better to put off discussion until a later date.