Over my many years of working with board members, I have discovered these 10 attributes that they possess.

Here is a list of them and how you can build them either on boards, in your current executive or consulting roles.

1. Collaborative Mindset

• Build relationships with fellow board members outside formal meetings to foster trust and collaboration.
• Participate in informal meetups or reach out between meetings to understand different perspectives and support team success.

2. Clear Understanding of Governance vs. Management

• Invest time in learning the distinction between governance (oversight, strategy) and management (operations).
• Read up on the role of the board director. Companies will have a lot of information readily available online.

3. Relevant Expertise and Experience

• Leverage your subject matter expertise while continuously seeking to expand your knowledge about organizations and industries.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and industry events.

4. Unwavering Integrity

• Demonstrate honesty, fairness, and confidentiality in all board or executive interactions. Know your own values.
• Uphold commitments and follow through on assigned tasks/projects to build trust.

5. Effective Communication

• Practice active listening and thoughtful, intentional speaking in meetings. Prepare in advance so your contributions are meaningful and well-informed.
• Learn how to ask questions that create positive interactions and allow for others to answer without getting defensive.

6. Humble Leadership

• Approach board service with a learning mindset and openness to feedback. Your achievements speak for themselves, so you do not need to over-sell yourself.
• Prioritize the organization’s goals over personal agendas and remain receptive to changing your mind when presented with new information.

7. Intellectual Curiosity

• Ask thoughtful, constructive questions that challenge assumptions and encourage new perspectives.
• Stay engaged with the company’s operations, industry trends, and best practices so you can contribute meaningfully.

8. Preparation and Thoughtful Engagement

• Review all board materials and agendas thoroughly before meetings.
• Identify areas where you can add value and prepare insightful questions in advance.

9. Courage with Discernment

• Speak up with confidence, when necessary, even if your view is in the minority.
• Balance assertiveness with the wisdom to listen and reflect before contributing.

10. Respect for Boardroom Dynamics

• Observe and learn from the board’s culture and interpersonal dynamics. Keep a cool head under pressure and show empathy for other opinions.
• Challenge ideas respectfully and remain open to changing your perspective based on new information.