7 Characteristics of an Effective Chair
The successful board chair must have a range of technical and emotional skills in order to provide the oversight required to help companies grow. Often, the most effective board chairs have had extensive experience in specific aspects of the relevant industry that apply directly to the board and its members.
It is the role of the board chair to set the vision of the company and to work with the executive directors to maintain company values and governance. Here are our top 7 key characteristics of an effective board chair:
#1 Leadership
Ultimately, the board chair has to be an effective leader if they want to be successful in helping a company grow. We have found that the best board chairs not only have high levels of industry experience, but they also demonstrate remarkable integrity and personal standards, which set the benchmark for all board members.
#2 Vision
Effective board chairs should have a vision for the company they are overseeing. It is the responsibility of the chair to ensure that all board members share the same vision and that expectations are clear. Every member of the board has been elected to contribute their own unique value and it is up to the chair to draw this out of the board members and maximise their input.
#3 Decisiveness
Although the chair of the board isn’t typically involved in the day to day management of the company, it is critical that the chair takes decisive action when it is required without undermining the CEO or Managing Director in the process. The chair must be confident in their ability to make the right decision, that will benefit the company and its stakeholders in the future.
#4 Emotional Intelligence
Not only must the chair be able to take decisive action, but they must also have the emotional intelligence required to navigate conflicts and difficult decision-making processes. Moreover, they must have a strong ability to build and nurture effective relationships as well as being able to listen to the board members input.
#5 Meetings
A large part of being an effective chair lies in their ability to host productive meetings. Effective meetings require a clear agenda and it is up to the chair to manage the course of discussion and to balance input with a clear demonstration on how to solve the problem at hand.
#6 Coaching
The effective chair will also be a good coach. When the CEO or other executive directors require guidance and assistance, the chair must be available to coach them through difficult decision making processes. Ultimately, the chair’s key role is to get the best out of all the board members, in order to create a collective approach to solving problems.
#7 Courage
All effective chairs have courage and passion for what they do. The chair is a leader and the company staff and board members will look to the chair to help guide their involvement through good and bad times. The chair, therefore, must be willing to do whatever it takes to help the company succeed, whilst always maintaining integrity and company values.
In conclusion, the chair is the heart and will behind company operations and it is the role of a good chair to ensure all members work together to solve problems. Furthermore, the physical and emotional environment of board meetings is important, and it is up to the chair to promote a landscape that is open, yet on task and one that never works to dismiss member ideas.
EBC Managing Director Patrick Phelan is chairman of the board of the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) and he also chairs a number of other company boards in various sectors. It is through this experience as well as decades spent in executive roles that Patrick has been able to analyse what it takes to be an effective chair.
For more information on Patrick’s experience as a board chair, visit the EEEGR website here.
