Programme Overview
Diversity on any board simply aims to expand the spectrum of ideas and knowledge demographics, attributes and characteristics in the boardroom. To achieve success, a diverse board of directors must include a variety of perspectives, skills, ages, genders, cultures, and ethnicities.
When organisations can deploy a range of perspectives and ideas effectively, boards and management teams have more ways and options for problem solving and hedging the unexpected. Central to the board & management relationship is a clear mutual understanding of roles, delegations and boundaries which allows each party to respect the other’s responsibilities, contributions and expectations.
When there’s no alignment between the board and the management, conflicting agendas lead to a lack of growth and disrupted decision-making. Boards might fall into the trap of interfering with the management processes, effectively assuming the roles of senior management. And in times when the boundary between oversight and management is thin, boards might fail to succinctly challenge the management for fear of interfering with the management’s duties.
Board-management effectiveness is characterised by two-way information sharing, constructive debate and commitment to strategic direction. Generally, the board has to challenge management to facilitate organisational effectiveness. They expect management to understand and accept that the board’s role is to monitor and question, probe issues, seek clarification, offer insight and share its knowledge and experience. Presence of independent directors will also bring greater objectivity and independence to the decision -making process, and higher visibility of next level of management will provide the opportunity to build relationships, provide guidance and identify talent for the succession pool.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the distinct roles, responsibilities and expectations between board & management, as well as the central role of the Chair & CEO.
- Evaluate the challenges in managing diversity at the board and management levels in order to improve dynamics and teamwork amongst all parties.
- Foster greater creative abrasion amongst leadership to keep ideas flowing and rethink traditional methods of governing – encouraging continual innovative thinking.
Who is this Programme For?
- Developing or Emerging Directors
- Directorswith a tenure between 3 –5 years
Speakers
Anne Abraham
ICDM Faculty
& Fellow, FCA,
Chairperson & Founder of LeadWomen
Anne Abraham was a corporate leader from the technology industry for more than 20 years before she founded LeadWomen Sdn Bhd, a consulting and training company in 2011. It started with a focus on gender diversity and has since evolved over the years into the space of the greater diversity, equity and inclusion. She has always been a strong advocate for gender balanced leadership, and hence her work now centers on creating equitable workplaces and boardrooms for all to thrive.
Recognised as a thought leader in diversity and inclusion, both locally and regionally, a frequent speaker, facilitator and moderator in leadership events.
- Chairperson and Founder, LeadWomen Sdn Bhd
- Member of Audit and Nomination Committee for the Board of Metrod Holdings Berhad
- Co-Founder of the Malaysian Chapter of the 30%Club (business campaign)
- Faculty Members of Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) Adjunct Professor, UNITAR
