Board Evaluation Consulting
Tools To Learn & Grow
Tools To Learn & Grow
The work completed by Satori Consulting in the governance zone spans a multitude of practice areas from training, to coaching, to Board and peer assessments. We believe that the true DIFFERENTIATOR of a strong governance Board is their belief in using assessments as a tool to learn and grow.
Creating and Supporting a High Performing Board
A high performing Board has the right blend of directors, who work as a team and provide the knowledge, skills, and viewpoints that support the company’s strategic goals and risk tolerance. A high performing, in tune Board, is a true strategic asset.
A high performing Board has the following attributes:
Board evaluations and assessments are a best practice in governance. Board assessments and evaluations are tools that are used to ensure that the Board is working together effectively, and is truly operating as a governance Board.
Open-minded and forward thinking Boards view Board evaluations as an integral tool in the Board governance toolkit. A toolkit that, if administered well, can open lines of communication, build stronger teams and attract skilled and highly competent future Board members.
Feedback is Important but Often Feared
Giving constructive feedback can be difficult and is often avoided in business, and in the boardroom. It is avoided for many reasons, but one big reason is that people tend to believe that being critical of someone else can erode relationships. However, the opposite is actually more accurate. Not giving constructive feedback can and will be detrimental to relationships, and to overall Board effectiveness, over time. The reality is that well-intentioned feedback can be the impetus for positive change and will weave a solid foundation of trust and communication.
Methods: Through Board evaluation, we may endeavor to assess the Board as a whole, the role of the Chair, Committee structure, and effectiveness, or individual contribution (self or peer). There are many ways in which Satori will engage to assess a Board. Depending on the specifics and required outcomes, we use a variety of the methods to extract information:
Our methods may change, but our commitment to integrity and confidentiality is paramount to the success of all our programs.
Peer Evaluations: Our approach to peer evaluations is simple. They are confidential, using a coaching-centric approach that focuses on improving individual directors and the Board as a whole.
The confidential process allows fellow directors to provide their perspective on how each director contributes to the Board’s success, the strengths and areas of weakness of both the Board and of each individual director. The Satori process strengthens a Boards performance through coaching, action plans, and accountability.
Board Succession and Skills Matrix: Most Boards recognize the importance of CEO succession planning. They spend a great deal of time and rigor creating processes that secure and nurture top talent for that inevitable day when the CEO spot becomes available. However, in contrast, most Boards spend little, if any, time planning their own succession and assessing the composition of the Board today and its needs in the future.
Board stability is important, however, through retirement, sudden exits or active bi-laws, changes to a Board’s make-up are inevitable. Good governance would suggest that Boards take an active stance on board succession. Keeping a Board competency matrix up to date will help support the competencies, skills, and experiences required at any given time and provide a framework for Board recruitment.
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About Satori Consulting Inc.
Satori Consulting Inc. is a leading Canadian owned business management consulting and leadership development firm, based in Dundas, Ontario. Being based in Ontario works well for our team, but we are also national and global in scope, providing management consulting services from coast to coast within Canada and internationally.
We bring a unique, cross-disciplinary approach to our clients’ challenges, ensuring the right balance of expertise, real world experience, and best practices in business analytics, strategic planning, board governance, organizational effectiveness, executive coaching, talent acquisition and leadership development.
Providing expertise in credit union consulting, insurance industry knowledge, academia (coaching and teaching), general business management solutions, leadership development and team building – Satori Consulting Inc. offers all Everything DiSC® products along with many other personality assessments. SCI is passionate about management consulting and partnering with clients that want change.