You have a Board of Directors or you’ve decided to appoint a Board of Directors. You need to fill open Board Director positions.
Step 1. Define what you’re looking for in new Board member consistent with Board strategic priorities, needs and gaps. What skills, expertise and fit is required? Are there additional considerations, for example – someone from a particular demographic or part of the country?
Step2. Identify prospects inside – and outside the Board’s network. Staying within the Board’s network when recruiting new Directors is limiting from several perspectives.
Step 3. Get to know the the prospects during the recruiting process. Help them get to know the Board of Directors. Prospective board members should meet with the board Chair, relevant Committee Chairs, and the Chief Executive Officer. Provide names of several board members whom the prospective new member might contact with any questions. Invite the prospective new member to a board meeting. Have them complete an application and identify why they feel they would make a good Board member. If the prospective Director was recommended by someone already on the Board, have that Director articulate in writing why the feel the prospective Director would make a good Board member.
Step 4. There are several common complaints from new Board members. The first is not getting a full and proper orientation on the Director’s role, the role of the Board of Directors and the nature of the organization’s business. The second is not feeling engaged early on. Start on the right foot by providing a formal and well thought through orientation process that includes a clear definition of the activities that will engage the new Director immediately in their new role.
How we work
Boardroom Metrics attracts a steady flow of engaged senior achievers. All of these people are interested in corporate engagement – both at the management and governance levels. Most already have Board experience. We maintain a database of everyone who applies whether we chose them as an Accomplished Exec or not. We recommend individuals from that database based on the needs of the governance organizations.
