Boardroom Dynamics

Description

Boardroom Dynamics

Boardroom Dynamics is intended to equip the candidate with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable him/her to positively and effectively influence and effect changes in the boardroom in the context of the existing dynamics of the Board.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A candidate who passes this paper should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of why focusing board dynamics is becoming increasingly important for
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of boardroom dynamics for organisations.
• Critically evaluate how boardroom dynamics might affect the quality relationships, decision-making, conversations, culture, diversity and other
• Apply formal and informal methods to positively influence dynamics and enhance boardroom performance

CONTENT

1. The emergence of boardroom dynamics in corporate governance
   • Defining boardroom dynamics
   • The evolving focus on corporate governance
   • The three phases of board evolution
     • Ceremonial board
     • Liberated board
     • Progressive board
   • Building blocks of a progressive board
     • Group dynamics
     • Information Architecture
     • Focus on substantive issues
   • Impact of boardroom dynamics on organisational performance
   • Interest in human factors (human resources, management of talent, organisational culture, politics )
   • Shifts in approaches to leadership
   • Focus on ethics
   • A broader model for corporate governance
   • Organisational failures and impacts on boardroom dynamics
   • Role of the corporate secretary in Board room dynamics

2.                   Evolution of Codes of Corporate Governance

• Evolution of codes – global trends
• Incorporation of boardroom dynamics in codes of corporate governance
• Impact of codes of governance on board culture, behaviors and effectiveness
• Evaluating human capital
• Self-regulation in corporate governance

3.                   Governance Structures

• Governance theories related to board structure
• Board Structures: Unitary and two tier Boards
• Components of governance structures
• Board size
• Committee structure
• Director considerations
• Best practices when creating and implementing governance structures
• Evaluating governance structures in organisations

4.                   Skills, Competencies and Diversity of the Board

• Human capital aspects of the board
  • Director competencies
  • Director skills and experience
  • Evaluating individual board members
• Personal characteristics of the
• Defining and understanding the measuring of diversity
• Types of diversity
• Areas of diversity and their relationship to boards
• Diversity thinking in a boardroom setting

5.                   Understanding Boardroom Dynamics

• Psychology of the board
  • The importance    of   board    dynamics   relative    to    board    structure, demographics and
  • Psychological theories underpinning board dynamics
  • Characteristics of boards and board meetings
  • Board team processes
  • Board team outcomes
• Individual and team resilience
• Well- being and resilience of the board
• Developing behavioral agility

6.                   Board Decision Making

• Decision making as a core competence of a board
• Evidence-based decision making
• Cognitive bias
• Individual differences in relation to decision making
• Decision making tools
• Board team decision making: Key factors and tools

7.                   Stakeholder Conversations

• Developing dialogue over debate
• Building trust through adult/adult conversations
• The systems inside the board
• The systems outside the board
• Emotional intelligence as a core board competence
• Managing conflict
• Stakeholder communication

8.                   Culture in the Boardroom

• Governance and culture
• Defining board culture
• Board culture dynamics
• Application of Schein’s Three Levels of Culture model
• Company culture
• Country culture – Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions

9.                   Board Diversity

• Understanding diversity
• Types of Diversity
• Influences of board diversity (culture, law
• Promoting diversity within the board

10.               The Effect of Meeting Design on Boardroom Dynamics

• Introduction to meeting design
• Design of board meetings
• Physical characteristics
• Attendee characteristics
• Trends in technology
• Use of virtual boards for remote teams
• Face-to-face versus virtual/audio interaction

11.               The Role of the Governance Professional in Influencing the Boardroom Dynamics

• The 21st Century governance professional
• The strategic role of the corporate secretary
• Application of theory
• Influencing dynamics in a positive way
• Leadership influence
• Ethical dilemmas

12.               Effective Talent Management

• Board talent management overview
• Skills and competencies of board members
• Recruitment of board members
• Introduction of board members
• Board learning and development
• Performance management of board members
• The role of the corporate secretary/ governance professional in effective talent management
• Ethical dilemmas in relation to managing talent

13.               Board Evaluation

• Methods and processes options of board evaluation
• Evaluating director personal characteristics
• Evaluating board dynamics
• The corporate secretary as a board consultant

14.               Power and Politics in Organisations

• The art and science of power in organisations
• Sources of power in organiSations
• Power and
• Managing change through
• Leading with

15.               Contemporary Issues and Case Studies in Boardroom Dynamics