Boardroom conversations are the bedrock of organizational oversight. They offer organizations with the much-needed direction. Conversations in the boardroom starts with the canvassing that happens before the deliberations, the actual meeting talks, and the post-meeting engagements. These stages are equally important, necessitating conversational intelligence to go along with your knowledge and expertise.

Conversational intelligence is the use of prowess to express ideas and develop camaraderie with people. It is the ability to discern what is said or not said. The art of bringing emotional intelligence to the subject matter discussion to nourish and nurture the board. To effectively serve on a board, you need to hold healthy conversations around matters that make people anxious, and maintain sanity by communicating in a non-threatening manner. You can master conversational intelligence using the below tactics.

1. Canvass before the board meeting.

Commonly known, board members bring their expertise to the table. Though boards have many things in common, no board is similar to the other. Boards are cut out differently depending on the industry of service, capacity of engagement, and the organizational culture. Therefore, understand how the boardroom you are a part of works and invite yourself to the spaces the board members frequent. While at it, strategically engage in conversations. This necessitates going out of your way to get to the decision makers and better prepare for the meeting.

Conversational Intelligence is about knowing how to reach out to other people, express your ideas and develop a camaraderie with board members.

Catherine Musakali- Lawyer and Governance professional, Co-Founder Women on Boards Network (WoBN)

2. Build working relationships

Upon understanding the board intricacies, foster working relationships. You will hardly achieve anything as a board member without the right people. A trusting relationship with management can offer you what other members of the board are not privy to. Therefore, you will have an upper hand that will empower you to function effectively as a board member. In addition, relational mastery is essential in mending broken or strained relationships following a boardroom interaction that turned sour.

3. Be trustworthy

People don’t trust blindly, trust is nurtured through a string of trustworthy interactions that water it. Information is offered to people who are trusted. Therefore, a non trusting relationship will cause you to being one step behind in your endeavors. Albeit to say, it can also lead you to fall behind hence constantly trying to catch on hence bringing your competency to question.

Basic courtesy like punctuality and consistency will lead you to be known for something and make you worth trusting. Further, staying true to yourself and standing for the values you believe in will prevent you from falling for anything. Finally, remain professional and maintain confidentiality in your endeavors to quash all doubts of your reliability.

Invite yourself to the places where decisions are made as a board members so that you don’t get blindsided during the board meeting

Richard Boro- Over 30 years corporate experience and serving on various boards

4. Listen Actively

In interactions within and without the boardroom, actively listen to what is being said explicitly, and what is implied, not openly stated. When you do not pay attention or your judgement clouded by your prejudice in a conversation, it pushes people away or closes them off. Therefore, listen with your ears, your heart, and your gut. Having all these will open you up to what is not readily available to everyone else and set you up for success.

5. Demonstrate accessibility

As a board member, wear a welcoming demeanor that makes it easy for people to approach. This is achievable when you are physically present, respond promptly, and with a warm attitude. Stay in touch with the issues happening around you and in the business you are providing oversight to. Also, communicate your availability to the people you work with. In addition, let there be no doubt of your willingness to engage in the conversations that matter, let objectivity and inclusivity lead the way.

6. Offer direction, not directives

‘It’s not about what you say but how you say it’ a saying by Albert Mehrabian is true. The means with which the information is communicated poses an opportunity for the recipient to embrace or shun it. Words are rich agents of communication but the tone of voice and body language are louder than words. In offering direction to management, an empathetic approach will encourage a positive reception. Subsequently, it is not only what you say that matters but also how your audience receives it.

7. Master emotional intelligence

Lastly, as a board member, your expertise is already ascertained. What is in question is the ability to remain calm in emotionally volatile situations and be the sounding board for the board. Emotional intelligence entails self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills.

Your mastery of your emotions and those of others in the boardroom will give you the advantage that sets you apart as an extraordinary board members. Self-awareness equips you with tools to harness your strengths and amend your weaknesses. In addition, empathy leads to relatability with other people, fostering trust. Self-regulation depicts self-mastery whereas social skills are essential in navigating boardroom interactions.

Being a coach made me see people’s authenticity and responding to what is being said rather than coming to the board with a set mind.

Sheila Kariuki- Founder and Director of Resource Associates Limited

Conclusion

Coaching is the one tried and tested way that equips you with the winning skills. It will shift your mindset, align your posture, and attune your behavior for excellence. Coaching sharpens intuitive observation through active listening and fosters authenticity. In addition, it hones the art of asking questions that unlock untapped potential. It all starts with self-awareness and builds up to relational and conversational intelligence.

The Women on Boards Network (WOBN) is an initiative aimed at promoting and encouraging women into Board leadership. CDI Africa in partnership with Women on Boards Network offer Global Executive Coaching Diploma meant to equip women for effective leadership in the boardroom and beyond.