New data from LinkedIn reveals that Ireland continues to lead in flexible working across Europe, ranking second in hybrid and remote job postings in October, just behind the United Kingdom. The analysis, which also examined job hiring patterns over a twelve-month period up to July 2024, found that companies in Ireland with less than 250 staff were more inclined to recruit workers in remote positions, with 12.6% of all people hired by these employers working remotely.

A year prior, large enterprises (5000+ employees) would have accounted for a higher proportion of remote roles, with 13.9% of all hires in the twelve months up to July 2023 accounting for these positions. A year on, however, the proportion of remote hires by large scale companies fell by almost a fifth and only accounts for 11.6% of recruits made up to July 2024.

Combined with hybrid recruiting patterns, there is a trend of larger corporations bringing staff back into the office as big enterprises increased hiring for hybrid positions by almost 10%, with almost half (47.6%) of all roles filled in the twelve months up to July 2024 offering flexible working.

The latest LinkedIn data continues to illustrate that employers in Ireland are promoting flexible working as the new normal compared to other European countries. The latest data from October 2024 revealed that 37.3% of all postings offered hybrid working and 8.1% of jobs ads were for remote roles that month.

While a higher proportion of roles in Ireland offered flexible work opportunities compared to the majority of other countries analysed, there is an overall decline in availability in Europe compared to last year, with a -13.7% year-on-year fall in hybrid job postings and a -18.0% year-on-year decline in remote roles advertised in October. The trend of large remote work "mismatches" - the ratio of share of remote job applications and the share of remote job postings - continued into October, at 2.2x in Ireland.

Commenting on the data, LinkedIn Ireland Country Manager Sue Duke said:

"Despite the decline in the availability of remote and hybrid roles in Ireland compared to last year, flexible work opportunities remain extremely popular with Irish workers. Job seekers are clearly looking for flexibility at work, whether that be remote or hybrid, and this can be a way for organisations to stand out to potential candidates, especially in a tight labour market.

Similarly, employers are able to take advantage of this new way of working by controlling their office costs and widening the pool of talent available to them. We see this with companies in Ireland with less than 250 staff, which are more inclined to recruit workers in remote positions compared to their larger counterparts.

"While there is a lot of discussion around large employers bringing staff back to the office, the data doesn't tell the complete story. Ireland's largest companies are offering a higher share of hybrid roles this year and with Ireland continuing to lead the way in offering flexible work, all indications are that flexibility is here to stay."

The holidays are in full swing, and homes are shining bright with fairy lights, glittering tinsel, and stunning Christmas trees. While your decorations might impress your guests, they could be causing your Wi-Fi to drag! Yes, those festive decorations might be slowing down your internet. Why - and how to fix it!

Christmas Decorations Slowing Down Your Wi-Fi

Fairy lights:

Twinkling fairy lights are a must-have for setting the holiday mood, but they can also create electromagnetic interference that disrupts your Wi-Fi signal. This happens because these lights emit frequencies that overlap with those used by your router, particularly if they're blinking or in close proximity to the device. This results in slower speeds and buffering when you're trying to stream your favourite Christmas movie.

What to do:Place your router as far away from fairy lights as possible and consider using LED lights with lower interference potential.

Tinsel:

Tinsel adds sparkle to your tree, but its metallic surface reflects Wi-Fi signals, causing them to bounce away from where they're needed. This can create "dead zones" where your internet connection weakens.

What to do

Avoid decorating your router with tinsel or other metallic objects. Use non-metallic decor near areas where you need strong Wi-Fi speed.

Christmas tree

Your Christmas tree, especially when covered in lights and ornaments, can block Wi-Fi signals if it's too close to your router. The tree itself and all the decorations on it can reduce the strength of your connection.

What to do:Position your tree and router in separate areas. If your router is centrally located for optimal coverage, ensure the tree isn't directly in its path.

3 Simple Tips to Keep Your Wi-Fi Working Well

Move the router

Keep your router away from fairy lights, tinsel, and your Christmas tree. Place it in an open, central spot, preferably up high, to get the best coverage.

Minimise disruption: Devices like microwaves and baby monitors can also interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. Keep your router away from these to ensure better performance.

Extend your signal

If your Wi-Fi doesn't reach all areas of your home, try a Wi-Fi extender to ensure a stronger, more reliable connection throughout.

This Christmas, you don't have to choose between festive decorations and a reliable connection. By following these tips, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Tips suggested by Virgin Media Ireland

See more breaking stories here.

Guest post by Abbe Borg. He has published articles at oneesports.gg as contributor and is a crypto enthusiast as well.

FLOKI, the self-described "people's cryptocurrency" named after Elon Musk's infamous Shiba Inu dog, continues to hold its place as one of the standout tokens in the meme coin space. As of December 16, 2024, FLOKI is trading at $0.0002261, reflecting a 5.72% decline over the last 24 hours. While the dip mirrors broader market shakiness, FLOKI's long-term community-driven approach and ecosystem ambitions keep it on the radar for meme coin enthusiasts.

FLOKI: Meme Coin Resilience in a Volatile Market

Market Context: A Shaky Crypto Landscape

The crypto market has faced volatility this month, with Bitcoin hovering around the $41,500 range after a volatile few weeks. Altcoins, particularly those in the meme coin sector like FLOKI, have seen sharper sell-offs as traders recalibrate their short-term positions.

Investor sentiment across the market appears mixed as macroeconomic uncertainties persist and major regulatory discussions continue to unfold. While larger caps like Ethereum and Solana have managed to hold support, riskier assets - like meme tokens - face increased selling pressure. FLOKI, like its competitors SHIB and DOGE, remains especially sensitive to these market-wide ebbs and flows.

Recent FLOKI Developments

Despite the current downward trend, FLOKI has been doubling down on its long-term strategy. The team continues to emphasize its "Three Pillars" - Community, Utility, and Charity - in an effort to build a more robust and sustainable ecosystem beyond the meme coin hype. Key points include:

Utility Expansion: FLOKI is enhancing its DeFi offerings, including integrations with decentralized exchanges and staking platforms to ensure continued token utility.

Charitable Initiatives: The project has remained committed to building schools in underdeveloped regions, reinforcing its socially-conscious branding.

Community Building: The "Floki Vikings," the project's diehard supporters, continue to push FLOKI's narrative on social platforms, contributing to its visibility amid market downturns.

FLOKI's leadership has also been teasing upcoming partnerships and product launches, which could provide the token with much-needed bullish momentum heading into the first quarter of 2025.

Technical Analysis

FLOKI's current price action reflects the broader market's risk-off sentiment. Here's a deeper look at the technical indicators as of December 16, 2024:

Price: Trading at $0.0002261, FLOKI has broken below its key support level of $0.00023, a concerning sign for bulls. If sellers maintain control, the next major support sits at $0.00020.

Resistance Levels: Immediate resistance lies near $0.00025. A break above this could signal a short-term reversal, but FLOKI would need strong volume to challenge higher levels.

Moving Averages: FLOKI remains below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, signaling that the overall trend is bearish.

Relative Strength Index (RSI): Currently hovering around 41, the RSI indicates FLOKI is approaching oversold territory. A bounce could occur if buyers step in at these levels.

The technicals suggest caution for traders, as FLOKI appears stuck in a short-term downtrend. However, its historical resilience, combined with its dedicated community, gives it the potential for upside if broader market sentiment improves.

Community Sentiment: The Vikings Hold the Line

If one thing separates FLOKI from other meme coins, it's the "Floki Vikings" - a loyal and vocal community that seems determined to weather any market storm. Social metrics show FLOKI maintaining steady chatter across platforms like Twitter and Discord, particularly when compared to similar projects like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.

Crypto journalist Zach Guzman recently commented on meme coins' surprising durability in uncertain markets, saying, "Meme coins remain the heartbeat of crypto retail sentiment - when they move, they move fast. ...

Salaries in Ireland are projected to remain high in 2025, according to Matrix Recruitment.

The recruitment agency, which has just published its Salary Guide for 2025, predicts that salary bands will remain steady compared to 2024 wages in the year ahead. However, roles that are difficult to fill are expected to see rises in salary scales as companies compete to attract and retain top talent.

Speaking about the 2025 jobs market, Kieran McKeown, MD of Matrix Recruitment, said: "The unemployment rate in Ireland is expected to remain low throughout 2025, creating a strong labour market and a stable base for economic growth in the year ahead. While this is positive, it does come with challenges for employers, particularly in sectors that are crying out for skilled talent.

"In terms of salaries, we predict that wages will be in line with 2024, which saw increases due to the continued cost of living. With inflation on the way down, this should mean more money in people's pockets. In areas where there are talent gaps, the competition to entice candidates will lead employers to increase the salaries on offer. The skills shortage will be particularly acute in the Financial Services, Accountancy, and Environmental Sustainability sectors."

For job roles that are in high demand, the Matrix Recruitment Salary Guide predicts an average salary increase of 10 - 11%.

Financial Services

In 2024, the Financial Services industry faced an unprecedented surge in regulatory scrutiny, driving a sharp increase in demand for professionals specialising in regulatory compliance and risk management.

As a result, Compliance Officers at all levels of experience should see salary increases of 7% -13% next year, particularly in the Dublin region. Entry-level wages are also expected to jump as companies aim to attract more finance professionals into this area.

Salaries for risk management roles will also rise, with increases of 11% - 22%. As Dublin is a financial hub for many global companies, the demand for talent will be particularly acute in the capital.

Continued digital transformation in the finance sector will place an emphasis on recruitment for professionals skilled in AI, data analysis, cybersecurity, and FinTech in 2025, with talent shortages leading to longer hiring timelines.

Accountancy

Professionals in tax, data analytics, and consultancy are in short supply heading into 2025. The integration of AI in routine tasks is elevating the need for advisory and strategic professionals, pushing salaries higher in this area in particular.

Financial Controllers will see starting salaries rise by up to 10% in Dublin, while outside Dublin, experienced professionals may see increases of up to 13%.

Internal Auditors are also expected to see wage rises of 12% - 22% in Dublin. In regional areas of the Midlands, West, and South, salary bands for experienced Internal Auditors may increase by up to 7%.

Engineering

Professionals with expertise in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and AI integration will be critical in 2025 as the industry undergoes significant advancements.

Automation Engineers will be in high demand, with maximum salaries for experienced professionals predicted to increase by up to 12%.

Project Managers outside Dublin are also in line for salary increases, with baseline salaries expected to rise by up to 7% regionally.

Supply Chain

Geopolitical tensions and fluctuating markets are driving a surge in demand for analytics professionals within the Supply Chain sector, particularly those skilled in AI-driven logistics. This trend is set to continue, with experienced Procurement Specialists outside Dublin expected to see the greatest increase in salary expectations, with maximum salaries rising by up to 17%. In Dublin, professionals can expect a more modest 7% increase.

Project Managers should also see salary increases of 6% - 9% next year as recruitment ramps up in key areas in 2025. There will also be a significant focus on recruiting Supply ...

Durham University scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in marine geoscience, revealing unprecedented insights into the dynamics of Earth's longest-runout sediment flows.

By using seabed seismographs placed safely outside the destructive paths of powerful underwater avalanches of sediment, researchers have successfully monitored turbidity currents - a natural phenomenon that shapes deep-sea landscapes, damages telecommunication cables, and transports large quantities of sediment and organic carbon to the ocean floor.

The longest runout sediment flows on earth

The study recorded two massive turbidity currents that travelled over 1,000 kilometres through the Congo Canyon Channel, moving at speeds of up to 7.6 metres per second.

These flows lasted over three weeks and marked the longest runout sediment flows ever directly observed on Earth.

This achievement provides critical new data on the duration, internal structure, and behaviour of turbidity currents, advancing our understanding of this powerful geophysical process.

This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for studying one of the most significant yet poorly understood processes shaping our planet.

By using ocean-bottom seismographs, researchers can now safely and effectively measure these extraordinary events in more detail than ever before.

Lead author of the study, Dr Megan Baker of Durham University, said, "This multidisciplinary work brought together geologists, seismologists, and engineers to advance our understanding of powerful turbidity currents through first-of-their-kind observations using ocean-bottom seismographs.

"This approach enables the safe monitoring of these hazardous events and will help us learn where and how often turbidity currents occur globally."

The research team, which included researchers from Newcastle University, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, National Oceanography Centre, Georg-August-University, Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ Potsdam, IFREMER, Université Paris-Saclay, TU Wien, University of Hull, University of Southampton and Loughborough University, successfully used ocean-bottom seismographs - instruments that are placed on the seafloor to record seismic signals generated by the turbidity currents.

This innovative approach allowed the researchers to capture detailed information on these flows without risking damage to expensive equipment, as has been the case with previous attempts.

The use of these seismographs marks a major step forward in monitoring hazardous seabed events, offering a cost-effective and long-term method for studying turbidity currents and their impacts.

The findings also reveal the global significance of these underwater flows. The turbidity currents studied in this research not only shape deep-sea landscapes but also play a crucial role in the transport of organic carbon and sediment to the ocean floor, with significant implications for deep-sea ecosystems and global carbon cycles.

The study shows that despite substantial erosion of the seafloor, the front of these massive flows maintains a near-constant speed and duration, efficiently moving organic material and sediment vast distances to the deep sea.

The study also challenges traditional models of turbidity current behaviour, suggesting that the flows can maintain a consistent speed and duration even as they erode the seabed.

This finding calls for a revaluation of existing models that have been based primarily on shorter, shallower flows.

More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.

You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news

If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at ...

When Jonathan Weiss, a German technical lead, sold his startup to AWS 13 years ago, he thought he was going to spend all of his time in software development. Instead, it was a more encompassing, dynamic role that would also let him connect with customers, take on complex problems, and eventually thrive within a culture of innovation and ownership. Today, he leads over 2,600 developers in Berlin, and what keeps him up at night is the creative freedom AWS affords him.

From Startup to AWS: A Founder's Journey, Jonathan Weiss

His journey began in Berlin, where he co-founded a startup to simplify cloud management for businesses. The timing was perfect; AWS was in its infancy, and there was a glaring need for tools to help startups migrate to the cloud.

Weiss recalls, "We saw the same problem over and over, helping companies deploy their applications and manage their workloads."

The solution was a cloud management tool which attracted the attention of AWS leadership, then and now CEO Andy Jassy. Soon after pitching their idea - and the potential of Berlin as a hub for development - the startup was acquired, its product evolving into AWS OpsWorks, still a core service today.

What kept him at AWS long after the acquisition is its very particular culture.

"I stayed because of a feeling of agency," he says. "At AWS, whether it's the CEO or an intern, if you've got a good idea, people will listen."

The Power of Ownership and Decentralization

The AWS culture emphasizes ownership from top to bottom.

"It's not an infrequent occurrence for somebody to come to me with a challenge and say, 'Amazon should do this,'" he reports. "My response is always, 'Who is this Amazon person you're talking about? If you see the problem, propose the solution."

This is an ethos of accountability and empowerment throughout the organization. The organization is decentralized, almost in some ways like startups within the greater AWS ecosystem. Each team owns their products, their roadmap, and their customer satisfaction to make sure it's all very agile and creative.

"It's possible to be incredibly creative at AWS because of this autonomy. We push decisions as close to the problem as possible, trusting those who understand the customer best to make the right calls."

A Startup Mentality in a Global Giant

Despite its scale, AWS retains the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup. According to him, his role hasn't really changed much since his days as one of the founders of a startup: "The only thing I don't do anymore is clean the toilets," he jokes.

Beyond that, he's still deeply involved in customer relations, product development, and cross-functional collaboration.

At AWS, wearing several hats is not only encouraged but expected.

"We don't work in silos. If the task at hand requires marketing expertise or legal input, you step in and contribute. The end goal is always the same: make the customer happy."

This strongly contrasts with the rigid traditional corporate environment where well-defined roles and responsibilities choke innovation.

"At AWS, there's no 'not my job' mentality," he asserts. "Everyone is empowered to solve problems, no matter their title or role."

Creativity Meets Practicality

Asked if it is possible to remain creative within a large organization, he uses the decentralized nature of AWS as an enabler.

"Our teams are small and independent, which enables us to experiment and have fast iterations," he says. "We encourage ourselves to think big, but start small with iterated learning from customer feedback."

A case in point is PartyRock, which started life as an internal tool for experimenting with generative AI models.

"It started off as a side project to help our team understand large language models, but it quickly gained traction within AWS, and we decided to launch it publicly."

Today, hundreds of thousands of users are building AI-driven apps on PartyRock, from vacation planners to soccer team managers.

"This sort of bottom-up innovation is wh...

Back for Business, the free programme aimed at supporting returned or soon-to-be returning Irish emigrants to start and develop a business in Ireland is seeking new applicants.

The development programme, which is now in its 8th year, was created to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants recently returned to Ireland and is funded by the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs.

The call for applications for the new cycle is now open and those eligible have until Thursday, January 16th to apply through www.backforbusiness.com. Back for Business 8 will run from February to June 2025, with the Launch Forum and first round table event taking place on February 11th. Up to 50 places will be available on the programme.

Back for Business is for returned Irish emigrants who have lived abroad for at least a year and have returned to Ireland in the last three years, or for emigrants currently living abroad who are planning to return to Ireland in the near future.

Since launching in 2017, Back for Business has helped entrepreneurs who are returned emigrants to significantly grow sales and employment. It also addresses challenges that all early-stage entrepreneurs encounter but also focuses on additional barriers faced by emigrants who have been living away from Ireland.

Those who completed last year's programme, Back for Business 7, were very positive in their feedback with 100pc saying they would recommend the programme to others and would like to stay in contact with the Back for Business community.

In terms of their overall experience, Back for Business 7 participants rated it 4.6 out of a possible 5, with 97% considering the experience either extremely positive or very positive. A total of 93% felt nearer to achieving their ambitions since participating in Back for Business.

At the start of the last cycle, under half of the group were trading but, over the course of the programme, this had increased to almost three quarters. The combined turnover of the participants was less than €300,00 at the start of the cycle. By the end of the cycle, the combined turnover of the 31 participants who completed the cycle had increased to €1.2 million, while employment numbers increased from 14 to 47 during the six months.

Participants will meet once a month on a peer-supported round table, facilitated by voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs, who have experience of successfully starting and growing a business. Many of them have also lived abroad before returning to Ireland to start their business.

This year's Lead Entrepreneurs are: serial entrepreneur Hannah Wrixon; Morgan Browne, CEO of Milner Browne and Enterpryze; Paul Duggan of The Gardiner Group; Seamus Reilly, co-founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; Sinead Doherty, founder and CEO of Fenero; and Thomas Ennis, founder of the Thomas Ennis Group.

Back for Business Lead Entrepreneur Thomas Ennis says:

"I was lucky enough to receive excellent mentoring when I was starting out and it made all the difference. It is great to be in a position to give back and to support those at the start of their entrepreneurial journey."

Back for Business past participant Aisling McVeigh, founder of the DANU Collective, says:

"The Back for Business programme proved invaluable for me as I transitioned back to Ireland from the Middle East and established DANU Collective. The support and structure it provided were exactly what I needed to navigate this new chapter. The advice and expertise from some of Ireland's leading entrepreneurs gave me the confidence to tackle obstacles and seize opportunities. Back for Business truly sets you up for success."

Back for Business has been designed and is being implemented by Fitzsimons Consulting, specialists in areas related to entrepreneurship and growth.

The deadline for completed applications for Back to Business 8 is midnight on Thursday, January 16th, 2025. For more information or to register your interest in receiving an application form, please...

The Irish entertainment company, Carlichauns is soon launching their upcoming animated TV series which will take Leprechaun folklore to a new global digital audience. In parallel to the planned TV series, which will be produced in Ireland.

Carlichauns has also refined its Augmented Reality app which is now available in Los Angeles with more locations in the US plus Melbourne to be added. The company is also set to launch a children's digital book series based on the Carlichauns as the new brand continues to grow. To learn more about this Ronan spoke to Niall Watters, Co-Founder and CEO of Carlichauns.

Niall talks about his background, what Carlichauns does, how he managed to get Keith Chapman, the creator of the multi-billion-dollar media franchises, PAW Patrol and Bob the Builder to come on board as executive producer, the future plans for Carlichauns and more.

More about Niall Watters:

Niall is a multilingual commercial executive with a strong track record in helping companies to scale at pace internationally. He has acute expertise in understanding how to mobilise & commercialise IP. A keynote speaker, he is often invited to speak to audiences in schools, universities & global businesses.

See more podcasts here.

As Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael engage in talks to form the next Irish government, the controversial issue of facial recognition technology (FRT) in policing is back in the spotlight. With plans to introduce FRT into Garda operations already on the table, this topic is expected to become a flashpoint in political and public debates in the months ahead.

Adding to the conversation, a public Think-In event titled Facing the Future: Let's Talk Facial Recognition Technology was held recently at The Digital Hub as part of Beta Festival. Co-organised by Dr Ciara Bracken-Roche and Dr Emma Clarke of the ADAPT Research Ireland Centre for AI-Driven Digital Content Technology, the event provided a platform for experts and citizens to critically assess the potential impact of FRT on Irish society.

The session featured contributions from Daniel Kahn Gillmor, Senior Staff Technologist at the ACLU, and Olga Cronin, Senior Policy Officer at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL). Both highlighted major concerns, including the risk of bias in FRT systems, threats to personal privacy, and the broader implications for civil liberties.

Participants were invited to discuss real-world scenarios, such as using FRT to identify a vandal after a car was damaged or tracking a hit-and-run driver. These discussions revealed a complex web of ethical and practical questions about how this technology might be used responsibly, or abused, in law enforcement.

The Think-In also included Calculating Empires, an immersive research visualisation by Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler. The artwork examines how technological systems and societal structures have evolved over centuries, offering a powerful lens through which to view the modern surveillance landscape.

This debate takes place against the backdrop of significant political change. As the new government takes shape, its stance on FRT will likely signal Ireland's broader approach to balancing technological innovation with the protection of civil rights. The issue became especially pressing last year, when the government proposed using FRT for serious crimes, including riots and violent disorder, following public disturbances in Dublin.

Supporters argue that FRT could improve Garda efficiency by speeding up video analysis in investigations, while opponents, including the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, warn of the potential for mass surveillance and errors that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. Calls for robust safeguards and comprehensive legislative scrutiny have been growing louder.

With public trust, privacy, and security at stake, the debate over facial recognition technology is certain to remain a high-profile issue as the next government sets its priorities. ADAPT researchers are at the forefront of addressing these challenges.

Dr. Abeba Birhane and Dr. Ciara Bracken-Roche have made expert testimonies for the Oireachtas' Joint Committee on Justice's Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill 2023, and co-authored prominent opinion pieces warning about granting Gardaí extensive FRT capabilities risks creating "roaming surveillance units" and foreshadows "big problems" if such technology is adopted without rigorous safeguards. ADAPT's work on trustworthy AI focuses on ensuring that emerging technologies like FRT are developed and deployed ethically, transparently, and with public trust at their core.

See more stories here.

Guest post by Didier Cossin, IMD Professor of Governance, and Yukie Saito, IMD Senior Research Writer. Didier Cossin is the author of High-Performance Boards: A Practical Guide to Improving and Energizing Your Governance, out now, published by Wiley.

Effective Governance

Today's chaotic and turbulent competitive context means the board's role is more important than ever. Beyond their traditional oversight role, boards today are critical in shaping strategy, managing risks, maintaining accountability, and driving innovation to steer organizational alignment and success over different time horizons.

With their growing influence, boards are often scrutinized for their dynamics. This has led some to apply the same leadership thinking from the executive team to the board. But are boards really teams?

Our view is that to be effective, boards operate under distinct conditions from management, and that therefore the view of the board as a team may not be fully applicable. This article explores three critical elements needed to achieve effective governance: 1) Balancing individual expertise with cohesion, 2) Encouraging a dialectic process, and 3) Nurturing shared convictions.

1. Balancing Individual Expertise with Cohesion

Unlike conventional teams, boards are often composed of individuals who are geographically dispersed, serving multiple organizations, and convening only intermittently. This structural setup contrasts sharply with traditional teams that work in close physical and operational proximity. Boards function more like a "hackathon team" rather than a synchronized football squad, focusing on specific tasks within constrained timeframes.

The board's chair plays a vital role in fostering cohesion by ensuring that members have access to well-structured information, strategic agenda-setting, and discipline during the discussion - and perhaps most importantly fostering a culture that allows individuals to contribute their expertise and perspective where it most contributes to the discussion. This requires ensuring that board members retain the integrity of their independent roles.

Where the chair needs to anchor the board by ensuring alignment on shared goals and values for a unified approach during decision-making.

2. Encouraging a Dialectic Process

While unity is often emphasized in corporate environments, a board's strength lies in its ability to accommodate and leverage dissent in a true dialectic process. Encouraging a dialectic process is not inherently team-like, as it focuses on discussion and debate. Effective boards thrive on open, respectful, and informed debates. This practice of "controlled instability" ensures that decisions are not merely rubber-stamped but are rigorously scrutinized and refined. The hallmark of a high-performing board is its capacity to encourage diverse viewpoints while maintaining a focus on collective goals.

The distinction between constructive and destructive dissent is critical. Divergent perspectives can illuminate blind spots and challenge assumptions, but they must be underpinned by respect and a shared commitment to the organization's success. Boards that fail to foster this culture risk falling into one of two extremes: succumbing to groupthink or defaulting to a superficial process where decisions are made hastily by simple agreement or disagreement, without meaningful discussion.

3. Nurturing Shared Convictions

As boards progress beyond a simple dialectic process, they can develop a stronger sense of team-like qualities in support of chosen shared convictions. Still, they must remain watchful of groupthink; convictions should be proactively chosen.

These convictions serve as the foundation for strategic decisions, particularly in areas requiring bold and forward-looking leadership. For example, boards tackling complex challenges like sustainability or digital transformation must align on core principles to navigate uncertainties effectively.

Shared convictions also enable boards to...