Richard and I hope you enjoyed part 1 of our conversation exploring Boardroom behaviours, where we looked more at the poor behaviours experienced in and out of the boardroom. 

In this, part 2, we look at Boardrooms Behaving Better. Richard shares specific examples of the roles and responsibilities of Boards and together explore what good behaviours look and feel like. 

Richard Cartwright is an Enterprise Fellow at Southampton Business School, an experienced NED, chartered Accountant and enthusiastic academic! He brings diversity to life in teams and boards with clients such as the NHS and NAO. 

Its often easier to spot and comment on poor boardroom behaviours and poor governance, as these are the examples that make the headlines. Good behaviours are not simply the opposite of the bad ones, though there's a relationship of course. Good behaviours often requires better personal leadership, interpersonal skills and alignment. Diverse thinking for example can be a huge benefit to the board, but to have it, you must be open to including difference and listening to it openly. It might be easy to recruit in ones own image but it may not get your the true value you want. Employing board members with the difference of opinions, experience and back ground you think you want, may require a different set of skills than you have to fully embrace these differences. 

Companies need their boards to function effectively. Board members provide executives with a different perspective and direction, drawing on their wider external experiences. The most effective boards meet regulatory requirements, keep the company accountable and provide sound strategic counsel.

Sarah Bell from Grant Thornton notes that, ''Truly effective boards clearly define their role and purpose, and have directors who can work well as a group while fulfilling their individual roles, such as overseeing succession planning, acquisitions and capital allocation.''

What do you think makes a good board, and what are better boardroom behaviours you experience? 

Listen to Richard discuss some simple and practical ways of improving board room behaviours and effectiveness. He talks specifically about Cyber Security and Cyber Attack which is hot topic. 

As always, I welcome your feedback, insights and stories [email protected] 

If you want to discuss anything you have heard in this podcast or chat about what resources are available to help you personally as a board member, or if you want to develop the effectiveness of your board, then please get in touch. Richard and I have a set of structured sessions, facilitated workshops, group and individual coaching options to support you. 

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