Management Tip of the Day: 3 Ways to Motivate Your Board of Directors

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Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JUNE 18, 2010 3 Ways to Motivate Your Board of Directors When serving on a board of directors is voluntary, sometimes members can lose focus or doubt that their participation is essential. At your next board meeting, try these three tips for reinvigorating and encouraging board members to devote more time and energy to growing your company: Pose provocative questions. Spend a significant part of each board meeting wrestling with critical issues and asking your board to think through the toughest challenges facing your company. Share the stage. Minimize time spent listening to prepared presentations. Be sure the conversation isn't dominated by one or two members. Spend time one-on-one. Find out about members' individual interests and how they might translate to helping your company in a unique way — for example, by coaching an executive or attending a critical in-house meeting. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Motivating a BOD" on the "Ask the Expert: Tammy Erickson" board of the HBR Answer Exchange. Read the full thread and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: RELATED PRODUCT How Well-Run Boards Make Decisions Harvard Business Review Article In the aftermath of seismic debacles like those that toppled Enron and WorldCom, corporate boards have been shaken up and made over. Research shows that most of the changes are having a positive effect, but they don't go to the heart of a board's work: making the choices that shape a firm's future. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Managing Up As a Gen-Xer 3 Steps to Make Your New Hire Productive Prepare for the Next Defining Moment 3 Cold Call Tactics that Increase Sales Use Words, Not Numbers, to Understand Your Customers How to Build Better Working Relationships with Gen Ys 3 Tips for Changing Careers Within Your Company 2 Ways to Assess Behaviors, Not Just Results 3 Ways to Boost Your Cultural Sensitivity When Your Employee is Unaware of Unspoken Rules BEST SELLERS Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials Financial Intelligence Collection HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself Guide to Better Business Writing Job Seekers, Take Note Whether you've been laid off or are considering a job change, HBR's Guide to Getting a Job will help ensure that your next move is the right one. Only $19.95. Buy now » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)