Great board members don’t jump in with recommendations – even when asked directly.
Instead, they share perspective, data, and guide a CEO/executive team to decide and fully own the decision.
This is respectful, wise, and growth-mindset driven.
It’s respectful because it empowers a CEO to listen to differing perspectives and ultimately own the decision – it’s not the board’s job to execute, nor to motivate the team.
It’s wise because a CEO has a more complete context than most board members – a great CEO will change his or her views based on data, or arrive at a deeper rationale for an existing viewpoint.
It’s growth-mindset driven because it allows a CEO room to make mistakes, learn, and give this same latitude to the team.
This results in happier teams that try more things, learn faster, and not fear failure.
Great board members share data, learnings, and frame decisions – an approach far more powerful than jumping in with recommendations.