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Challenge accepted: how to disagree well on boards This was a fantastic session that I was very happy to chair for the #FestivalOfTrusteeship. In case you missed it, there's still a chance to pick up a pass and hear the recording. Our panellists had loads of ideas for how to build relationships and trust that enable everyone to disagree well. These included: - accompanying each agenda item with questions to help normalise feedback and help trustees get to the crux of issues - making time for 1 to 1s so that there are clear and regular feedback loops - 2 minute rounds to balance the voices in the room and ensure everyone has the chance to speak - ensuring the chair always speaks last to reduce any disproportionate influence they may have on the outcome - making sure that papers are accessible for all to remove unnecessary barriers to participation There were lots more in the discussion and the chat! Huge thanks to the panel - Juli Browne Fran Borg-Wheeler Steven McCann and Deborah Denyer - for their insightful and practical contributions. Thanks again to Penny Wilson, Fiona McAuslan and the team at our new hosts, Eastside People, for another wonderful Festival this year. There's lots more to come this week. More info here: https://lnkd.in/e3_qTsiE
Challenge accepted: How to disagree well on boards. Fostering constructive challenge and healthy disagreement leading to stronger governance. #Festivalof Trusteeship. Our panel is made up of: Sapna Marwaha Juli Browne Deborah Denyer Fran Borg-Wheeler Steven McCann To kick of the session Sapna said that she often says to boards that she work with, that when trustees nod everything through without debate, it can be just as dysfunctional as non-functioning boards are. What did the panel recommend to overcome this? Debbie said “you have to work with the board members who are more vocal and passionate and help them to understand that this can be a bit intimidating for others." Fran recounted a story of where she was on a board of 9 white gentlemen who had absolute trust in the founder which squashed healthy debate. A board of ‘nodding donkeys’ is an issue. Trust can sometimes go a little bit too far. It can be very hard to be the 1st dissenting voice on a board. Steven added that “Psychological safety is a governance issue and trustees need to feel safe to make a dissenting comment. Try to explain the context of the comment in relation to the organisation concerned. It’s our role to ask these questions.” Juli fels that “As a Chair it is our responsibility to create a space where everybody feels safe to speak up. Think about how trustees can pose questions that are non-confrontational and give them the confidence to speak up.” The Institute of Leadership #TrusteesWeek