In this episode we chat with retail expert Eric Morris who enjoyed almost two decades at the helm as CEO of The Pas Group/Brand Collective, before stepping out of his executive career and into his board career just a couple of years ago.

Eric shares how he prepared himself to make this transition to boards and gives his tips for navigating the other side of the table.

Key Highlights:

Eric discusses the importance of maintaining a respectful and collaborative relationship with the CEO.

When considering new roles, how to prioritise fit and the potential to add value, as well as the dynamics of the executive team and other board members.

Erics tips for building meaningful connections and keeping the networking alive.

If you haven't yet listened to the previous episode with Kerry Ryan, please check it out!

• Kerry's journey to joining the board of the Richmond Football Club
• Strategies for preparation and presentation for board interviews
• Deal breakers when evaluating board role offers
• Overcoming some of the hurdles faced by Non Executive Directors
• Tips for embarking on your first board role
• Kerry's 5 Cs framework for assessing board role candidates
• Recommendations for those who make the shortlist for board positions

• The defining moment for Rob's Board Career
• The significance of getting clear with your values and purpose
• Struggles of identifying your Board Value Proposition
• The biggest challenges for NEDs
• Advantage of having both Executive and Non-Executive roles
• Rob's advice to anyone starting in the board role

Managing an organisation requires strategies that can increase profitability without sacrificing purpose. Profit may be the same across organisations but the purpose varies. So how can the board encourage goal-driven values that don’t hamper profit in executives and non-executive positions?

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we speak with Sanchia Aranda AM. Her professional career started out in nursing and has now extended to over 40 years of expertise in cancer control. At the time of this recording, Sanchia was a Board Chair for Scope Australia and Deputy Board Chair for the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance.

Sanchia firmly believes that profit is not the main driver for non-profit businesses; it’s the purpose or the mission. Although a financial legacy is often seen as a valuable component, having a corporate social responsibility is what sets an organisation apart from others.

When profit and purpose are used in tandem, the board becomes better mobilised to achieve its goals. They contribute better to the organisation and make a difference.

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The challenges in clinical governance
• The importance of having a profit and purpose-focused board
• The difficulty of defining purpose for organisations
• How to better support diversity and capability in the boardroom 

The ability to leverage profits and to reinvest those skillfully in alignment with the voice of the beneficiary is the key to a well-run NFP health entity. 

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on Getting Into the Boardroom: How To Do It And What Comes With It With Wendy Stops, check out Episode 09. 

Quotes

"You need to build an extreme level of trust between the board and the executives. To do this, you need to remove the culture of blame and encourage a culture of inquiry and understanding." -Sanchia Aranda AM

"You can write the policy and procedures, put safeguards and training but that doesn't give boards assurance. So you need to bring in the things that go well and don't into the boardroom." -Sanchia Aranda AM

Making the leap from the executive world to the boardroom can sometimes seem so effortless by some. While many others struggle to even get an interview for a board role, let alone get appointed to a board. 

If you’re in search of a magic button to have a successful board career, this episode sheds light on how to approach your board career and how to add value through customer advocacy. 

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Wendy Stops. At the time of this recording, Wendy was a Non Executive Director of the Commonwealth Bank, Coles Group Ltd and Fitted for Work, and Chair of the Industry Advisory Board for the Centre for Business Analytics at the Melbourne Business School. Since then she has also become Chair of Blackmores and Deputy Chancellor at the University of Melbourne. She completed her tenure at CBA in Oct 2020.

Wendy shares her insights on how to make securing your seat on a board possible, with tips on networking and establishing yourself as a leader. 

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The difference between strategic and operational research
• How to complete due diligence in the board room
• Understanding the board’s financials
• The importance of networking

Taking control of your professional future and moving up in the corporate world doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right attitude and knowledge about navigating corporate politics, anyone can get ahead at work—and even end up ruling over one of these powerful rooms! 

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on Finding Your Purpose and Passion in the Boardroom with Dr. Delyth Samuel, go back and check out Episode 08. 

Are you looking to find your true purpose and passion in the boardroom? We all know that success comes from hard work, but without purpose and passion you’ll struggle to maintain long-term motivation or inspiration in your board role.

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Dr Delyth Samuel. Delyth has spent over 20 years juggling full time work with board work. Her first role was a state appointed role as a result of her industry expertise with the International Fibre Centre. At the time of recording, she was secretary of the local tennis club and Non Executive Director at the Mulgrave Country Club.

Understanding how to make an impact in the boardroom that speaks to your purpose and passion can help open up possibilities and set you on a path towards true satisfaction. It’s never too late to start making meaningful changes and building a life that you can truly be proud of.

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The value of purpose and passion in the boardroom
• How to deal with salary benchmarking
• The value of making a difference

Being in the boardroom is a challenge, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. It can be hard to add value in the boardroom when you feel like you're just going through the motions, but Dr Samuel has some great advice on how to make the most of your board career. 

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on Encouraging Creative and Dynamic Thinking in the Boardroom with Anita Muller, check out Episode 07. 

Boardrooms have been ingrained with conventional perspectives that are often difficult to challenge. This might explain why people in board positions often find themselves in comfortable, yet critically complacent situations.

How can you recognise and break away from these limitations and biases and move beyond the traditional boardroom boundary?

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Anita Muller, who at the time of the recording was running her consultancy business Running Tall, and sitting on the board at Matthews Steer Accountancy and Advisory.

Anna firmly believes that modern-day board roles need to take a leap forward to achieve effective board leadership by encouraging creative and dynamic thinking in the boardroom.

Being too comfortable has historically been a defining factor for big businesses who have failed. Reigning supreme just sets you up in the headlights of fast-moving up-and-coming competition. Think Kodak. Think Blockbuster. Think Nokia. Tension is needed to inspire creativity and innovation in organisations, to protect businesses failing from a false sense of security. 

In order for the board to harness different ways of thinking, it must first acknowledging the value of creative input from others. This breeds diversity and inclusion which results in openness to new possibilities and better information on which to base decisions.

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The changes in modern board leadership
• Why complacency stifles growth
• How to encourage progressive thinking on the board
• The role of feedback in the boardroom

A board director is responsible for creating value, and this often requires thinking outside the traditional box and encouraging others to be open to potential changes.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on The Five-Point Challenge of Board Roles with Robin Buckham, check out Episode 06. 

The transition from an executive position to a Non Executive Director involves many different types of hurdles. This exciting challenge requires you to quickly skill up in a multitude of personal and professional areas and to allow yourself to enjoy the stretch.

These challenges will come from various areas - being heard, soliciting ideas, finding your style in how you govern and manage, etc. As well as building new relationships with members of the board and executive team. And not everyone is on the same page, so what are the keys to landing on your feet and hitting the ground quickly?

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Robin Buckham. At the time of this recording Robin was the Chair at Gippsland Port and on the boards at Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust and the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians. She has since completed her tenure with ACSEP and joined the boards at Rice Growers Australia, and the Law Institute of Victoria. 

Simply put, if you’re not up for challenges, a board position is not for you. Enjoy this episode and feel inspired to take a step back and assess how you can best thrive in this environment. 

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The role of the Interim Executive and where they sit in the delineation between the board and executive management team.
• The challenges of being a Non-Executive Director
• Robin's advice for executives wanting to transition into a board role
• Why knockbacks might be the key to success

A board role demands a complete change of lifestyle paired with a different set of challenges from the executive position. Being mindful of these tests and adjustments allows you to strategise and withstand obstacles in your board pursuits.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on Creating a Winning NED Portfolio and Networking For Board Roles with Michelle McLean, check out Episode 05. 

Quotes

"You have to be clear-eyed about what you're good at and what you're not." -Robin Buckham

"Your interests and what you’re good at align. You need to be clear on where your strengths are and how you can best add value." -Robin Buckham 

"Sometimes we think we need more experience -be more, do more, and have more. But actually, this goes against the grain of the board." -Sally Parrish

It can frustrating trying to get your board career off the ground, and what seemed to work like magic for you in your executive career, doesn’t open doors to board opportunities. Getting rejected after putting in so much effort in applications and interviews can be confronting and may even lead to self-doubt. 

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Michelle McLean who at the time of this recording was sitting on 13 boards and committees which included the CFA and East Gippsland Water. 

Michelle joins us to share her winning formula for building a fulfilling NED portfolio and developing a successful network of board connections. Having a great network is key to opening doors to new board opportunities. However, building a network takes time and it needs to be nurtured constantly. 

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The impact of the crisis management on Michelle’s portfolio
• The challenges in being a NED
• Advice on how to find a Board Mentor 
• What to do when you don’t land your dream role

Having people who genuinely advocate for you helps you to narrow down your purpose and passion and discover how you can be of service to an organisation.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on Highlighting Social Impact as a Value Proposition for Board Opportunities with Professor Andrew MacLeod, check out Episode 04. 

Quotes

"Don't find a mentor because of what they can deliver for you. Find someone who you genuinely respect and have a connection with." -Michelle McLean 

"It's not just about rocking the boardroom, sitting there, and asking a few questions. You need to learn and understand the business." -Michelle McLean 

"The more board roles you get, the more genuine relationships you build and the more willing mentors out there to help you with your board journey." -Sally Parrish

Getting appointed to a board role will require having more than just referrals and an impressive resumé! You have to figure out how to effectively sell yourself to the business. With lots of executives vying for the position, how can you make sure you successfully land that board role?

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Professor Andrew MacLeod. At the time of this recording, Andrew was Non Executive Chair at Griffin Law, NED for Burnham Global, the Outdoor Education Group, Arabian Leopard Fund and also held advisory board roles at LendSend and Keele University.

Most executives who want to get onto a board put emphasis on how they can increase an organisation’s profitability by focusing on traditional metrics. But Andrew highlights the significant value board members can add to organisations when they apply a social impact lens.

Andrew demonstrates his deep expertise in this space as he contemplates various board discussion scenarios and focuses on ESG and its role in increasing company value, managing risks and creating opportunities.

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The impact of good corporate behaviour to profit, people, planet, and purpose
• How the board can deal effectively with the challenges in international laws
• The importance of performing a social audit before accepting a board appointment

Understanding how to set yourself apart from the competition and negotiate with the organisations where your skillset is needed most, to better market yourself. 

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on Exploring The Void: Preparing for a Transition Into a Board Role with Donna McMaster, check out Episode 03. 

Quotes

"You have to understand what your skill set is and you're trying to market into a board that doesn't have that skill set." -Professor Andrew MacLeod 

"It's equally important to understand when you don't stand out and don't take it personally." -Professor Andrew MacLeod

"Standout and make sure you understand why you're different." -Sally Parrish