Blog

The Role of Chairs in Managing Difficult Board Dynamics

According to recent guidance produced by the Association of Chairs, chairs play a critical role in setting the tone and leading by example. As dynamics is about people, the effective chair draws on high levels of emotional intelligence in dealing with varying motivations and disparate characters on the board.   Such a chair manages the board […]

Nurture Your Governance

Ethics and leadership – what drives behaviour? “Culture exists regardless.  If left to its own devices, it shapes itself, with the inherent risk that behaviours will not be those desired.  Employees will work out for themselves what is valued by leaders to whom they report”  Anthony Saltz (The Salz Review of Barclays Business Practice) The […]

A tribute to Jane Slowey – An awesome Leader Gone Too Soon

I had the absolute pleasure to meet and work with Jane Slowey.  An absolutely amazing woman, she was a great leader.   I learnt so much from Jane.  She was reliable, intelligent, empathetic, compassionate, knowledgeable and wise.  Jane taught me the practicalities of being task focused and people focused.  Her style was clear, consistent, coherent and […]

8 Tips to Building an Effective Board

Principle 5: Board effectiveness of Charity Governance Code states that “the board works as an effective team, using the appropriate balance of skills, experience, backgrounds and knowledge to make informed decisions. The tone the board sets through its leadership, behaviour, culture and overall performance is critical to the charity’s success”. The Code advocates a rigourous […]

Poor Digital Experiences can be Costly

It is no longer an option.   Poor digital experiences can be costly. Poor web performers influence consumer behaviour.     A recent study by Apica reports that sixty percent of consumers feel less loyal to brands after having a poor app or website experience. Over 80%  of those would tell their friends about that negative experience.   Almost […]

Helping Charities with Recruitment

ICSA publishes guidance to help charities with recruitment The ICSA guidance was written to provide those responsible for or involved in the governance of a charity with detailed information on how to recruit and appoint charity trustees. ‘As the Charity Governance Code (2017) states, every charity should be ‘headed by an effective board that provides […]

Introverts and Negotiations

Negotiation is the spice leading to success in professional and personal spheres.  There is a myth that extroverts are best suited to enduring good outcomes from negotiations.   There is evidence emerging that introverts can shape negotiations that lead to good deals. Tell me what you think! Here’s an excellent article on introverts as negotiators. […]

Is Your Board Behaving?

Culture is a critical component of good governance.  Tesse Akpeki explains.   Leadership values the importance of collegiality, #trust, #confidence and #connection in building #effectiveboards in the UK through appropriate conduct.   Culture is a strong enabler in this regard, underpinning fundamental values, attitudes and behaviours. The #CharityGovernanceCode stresses that an effective board makes sure that […]

Good Thinking – Effective Thinking for Every situation

Good thinking is one that successful people have in common. People who achieve their dreams understand the critical relationship between their levels of thinking and their level of progress.   When thinking is limited, so is potential. Success is as simple as changing your mind. To do well we must first think well.  Changing thinking can […]