Board Shorts Podcast

As an aspiring board director looking to start or elevate your career, it's critical for you to understand your Unique Value Proposition (UVP). It is the key to unlocking your potential and securing a coveted board seat.

In this episode, I break down the essential ingredients that make up a compelling UVP by examining seven key categories, including:

• Professional Expertise and Accomplishments
• Career Experience
• Network and Connections
• Board Experience
• Personal and Lived Experience
• Wealth
• Passions and Interests

I'll help you to understand how to identify your unique strengths and tailor your UVP to resonate with specific boards. Remember, your UVP is a dynamic tool that can be adapted to different opportunities. By clearly articulating your value, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to any boardroom.

Useful Links

Developing your UVP [article]

Demonstrating Your UVP [article]

Mastering your UVP with Joanna Bloor [podcast]

In this episode, I dive deep into my preparation for a Board interview that landed me a coveted spot on the Stroke Foundation Board. From extensive research and note-taking to crafting a compelling story, I share my step-by-step process for securing Boardroom success.

Here are the highlights:

Preparation is Key:

• Conduct thorough research on the organisation, its Board members, and the specific role you're applying for.
• Create a detailed preparation pack, including notes on selection criteria, questions to ask, and relevant information.
• Use resources like the organisation's website, annual reports, and social media to gather information.

Tailor Your Application:

• Align your resume and cover letter with the specific requirements outlined in the candidate information pack.
• Highlight your relevant experiences and skills, emphasizing how they align with the organisation's goals.
• Use the language from the candidate information pack to demonstrate your understanding of the organisation.

Interview Tips:

• Prepare for a variety of questions, including those related to your experience, skills, and understanding of the organisation.
• Practice your answers and be prepared to provide specific examples.
• Be confident and articulate your value proposition.
• Ask thoughtful questions to demonstrate your interest and engagement.

Additional Tips:

• Consider the questions the panel members might ask and prepare accordingly.
• Be prepared to share information about yourself beyond your professional experience.
• Rely on your existing knowledge and experiences to guide your responses.

Are you tired of applying for Board positions without success? In this episode, I delve into the common reasons why you may be struggling to secure a board role and provide practical solutions to overcome these challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Missteps: Understand the common mistakes people make in their Board applications, interviews, and positioning.
• External Factors: Learn about the uncontrollable circumstances that can impact your Board journey, such as timing and competition.
• Actionable Strategies: Discover effective strategies to improve your chances of landing Board roles, including tailoring your applications, networking effectively, and understanding Board dynamics.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your Board journey, this episode offers valuable insights to help you achieve your Board goals.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

Sphere of Control, Influence, Concern

Weak/Generic ApplicationHow to make your Board Resume Boardroom-Worthy | Ep. 94

Wrong PositioningDeveloping your Unique Value Proposition Demonstrating your Unique Value Proposition

Wrong BoardSetting and Calibrating your Board Goals | Ep. 49How to Set a Board Goal

Flunked InterviewHow to Prepare for a Board Interview Questions to Ask at a Board Interview

Are you ready to unlock your board career potential? The time is now. Too often, aspiring board members get stuck in the 'getting started' phase. In this episode, I'm breaking down the barriers and providing actionable steps to launch your board journey.

Three steps to starting your Board career:

1. Understand the Commitment: Before joining a board, be clear about the responsibilities, time commitment, and personal risks involved. Know the legal and ethical obligations and if you're comfortable with the interpersonal dynamics of board work.
2. Set a Board Goal: Determine the type of board you want to join based on your experience, skills, and aspirations. Don't overthink this step, but focus on setting a direction for your board search.
3. Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Clearly articulate the value you can bring to a board. This will help you stand out as a competitive candidate and attract suitable opportunities.

Useful and Mentioned Links

Know what you're getting into

Setting your Board Goal

Getting clear on your Unique Value Proposition

Course: Break into the Boardroom

Are you tired of falling short in your Board applications?

If you're aspiring to join a Board but struggling to stand out in the competitive landscape, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I dive deep into the art of crafting a Board Resume that truly impresses. Discover simple yet effective strategies to make your application shine among a sea of candidates.

What I cover:

• Three questions to ask before writing your Board Resume.
• Two things everyone needs for a Board Resume that opens doors.
• The problems with Board Resume that's stopping you from getting you onto a Board.
• What to do once you have a standout Board Resume.
• Two tips to ensure your resume actually gets written!

Board Talk Facebook Community

Understanding your Unique Value Proposition [article]

Setting and Calibrating your Board Goals [podcast]

Build Your Board Resume [course]

Delve into some of the proposed changes to the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations. With a focus on gender balance, diversity, and material ESG risks, I offer a comprehensive analysis of the evolving landscape of corporate governance in Australia.

Key Takeaways:

• Gender Balance and Diversity: The proposed fifth edition introduces measurable objectives for gender diversity on boards, including a minimum of 40% female (or 40% male) representation. While this is a significant step forward, why is there a lack of discussion around a 50/50 gender split and the potential for pushback on 'soft quotas' from key stakeholders.
• Material ESG Risks: The recommendation to disclose material environmental and social risks has been expanded to include governance risks, along with the importance of considering these risks within the broader context of an organisation's business model and strategy.
• The Balancing Act: The episode explores the ongoing tension between global idealistic evolutions and Australian practicalities in corporate governance as a result of macroeconomic events and stakeholder submissions on the final shape of the principles.

This episode provides valuable insights into the current state of corporate governance in Australia and the potential implications of the proposed changes. Listeners will gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing boards and organisations as they navigate the evolving landscape – and 'community expectations' – of corporate governance.

Mentioned Links

Find all versions and available submissions of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations here: https://www.asx.com.au/about/regulation/asx-corporate-governance-council

BoardPro Article: Setting Up, Using, and Leveraging a Board Skills Matrix

Stroke Foundation: FAST

Today we're diving into the world of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on board secretaries.

Joining me is Suzanne Rowe, the founder of Board Support Services, a company that provides governance support to organisations across Australia. With her many years of experience in corporate governance, Suzanne offers a unique perspective on the role of AI in the boardroom.

In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of using AI for board secretariat activities. We discuss the importance of understanding what AI can and cannot do, the risks involved, considerations for legal obligations and duties, and the human element that's still essential for accurate board meeting minutes.

This episode will provide valuable insights into how approach using AI to streamline your board administration while maintaining high standards of governance.

Join the conversation: Share your thoughts on LinkedIn using the hashtag #BoardShortsPodcast.

Mentioned Links:

LinkedIn – Board Support Services Company Page

LinkedIn – Suzanne Rowe

Do you leave writing your board resume to the last minute, rushing to produce something that you're not quite happy with? GenAI may seem like a helpful solution. But, is it?

I used Google's Gemini to write my Board Resume and in this episode I share what happened.

Key Takeaways:

• GenAI is not a silver bullet: While it can assist in writing board resumes, it cannot fully replace human judgment and expertise.
• Human input is crucial: GenAI requires specific instructions and context to produce relevant and effective content.
• Editing is essential: AI-generated text often needs refining to align with personal style and tone.
• Focus on quality: A well-crafted board resume is more important than a quickly generated one.

Overall, I conclude that while GenAI can be a helpful tool, it should be used in conjunction with human effort and understanding to create a strong board resume.

Mentioned Links

Build Your Board Resume program – enrol before 15 September 2024

Board Resume articles and resources

Giselle McLachlan is someone I have met through my relationship with BoardPro (a Board management software provider). Giselle is an experienced Board Member from New Zealand, having started on Boards as part of her leadership role. From there, she has built a Board portfolio while leading Grounded Governance, a governance training, advice, and education organisation. Her and I share a similar human-centred view of corporate governance; we touch on this a lot in this conversation because it underpins everything that we do as Board Members.

In our conversation Giselle also shares:

• Her interesting and varied Board journey
• What she loves about Board service and the value the team can bring to organisational success
• How she built a portfolio career, balancing Board service with the need to earn an income
• Her analogy of Governance yoga and how discomfort and stretch are necessary
• Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable
• How your network will help you build your Board career
• The challenges that come with a Board role
• The essential skills of great Board Members (including her handy R3 framework)
• Powerful questions to ask yourself and your Board
• The human element in being a high performing Board member and a high functioning Board team
• And, her down-to-earth advice for aspiring and emerging Board Members, from Board pay to the importance of saying no

Connect with Giselle on LinkedIn

Grounded Governance

Join the priority waitlist for the new Build Your Board Resume program

Thanks to our sponsor BoardPro

Visit boardpro.com/boardshorts and use the promo code boardshorts – all one word, lowercase – to get a 30-day free trial AND 20% off the price of your first year on any plan.

Wellbeing in the workplace is a topic that has been around for a while. But with new positive duties for company directors in Australia, psychosocial safety in the workplace is the latest evolution in workplace health and safety obligations. Board Members are well-aware of their responsibilities to the physical safety of their work force. However, directors now must proactively manage hazards that could create harmful levels of psychological injury. These injuries may include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorders.

It will help boards to see these positive duties as an opportunity to embed a strategic workforce wellbeing program; one that moves the needle for employees and for the business bottom line.

How an organisation does this is the domain of Dr Clint Strahan, a Partner at Exsona, where they help organisations elevate the human experience at work. Clint has spent his career in consulting and senior leadership roles applying the principles of organisational psychology to help businesses, and the people within them, perform at their best. His PhD research on accountability and employee engagement in Australian mining provided a foundation for effective strategies and interventions designed to develop leadership capability & drive business performance. He led high-performing Talent Acquisition and L&D departments in the insurance industry for 7yrs and brings that internal, real-world perspective to his consulting work with clients.

Clint and I discuss

• Workforce wellness and wellbeing: what it is and what it isn't.
• How workforce wellness addresses psychosocial hazards.
• How to best address poor performance and incentivise high performance.
• Ways to measure employee wellbeing to understand how your organisation is performing with psychosocial safety and workforce wellbeing.
• Simple strategies that all organisations (even small organisations) can introduce to leverage psychosocial safety and workforce wellbeing for a tangible ROI.
• How to create the business case for investment into workplace wellness and wellbeing programs.
• Experimenting with workplace wellbeing activities to find what works and moves the needle forward.
• Clint's views on recent comments about employees literally taking up arms for their early-stage tech company employer.

This isn't a soft and fluffy wellbeing conversation. There's a lot of valuable information in this conversation; I took a page of notes and made some key points to ask at my next board meeting. Enjoy this conversation with Dr Clint Strahan.

Useful and Mentioned Links

For regulatory codes and guides for psychosocial hazards/management, refer to SafeWork Australia and your industry peak body.

Connect with Clint on LinkedIn

Clint's Organisation: Exsona

Access the Psychosocial Hazards Checklist