Five Inclusive Behaviors Board Chairs Overlook
Why inclusivity lags behind diversity in boardrooms
1The Difference Between Diversity and Inclusivity
Many companies globally have made progress in adding board members from underrepresented groups like women and minorities. However, despite increased diversity, many boards lag in inclusivity. Inclusivity ensures diverse voices are heard and all members can contribute to decision-making, which is often overlooked.
2The Perception Gap Between Chairs and Members
Interviews with over 25 board chairs and 20 members revealed a contradiction: most chairs believed they led inclusive boards, but many members disagreed. A global Egon Zehnder survey echoed this, with 80% of chairs claiming inclusivity, while only half of members agreed. Men were more likely than women to feel they could bring their full selves to the boardroom.
3Barriers to Inclusivity
Lack of inclusivity can reduce board effectiveness. Research shows that without enabling conditions, diverse perspectives can lead to communication breakdowns, factionalism, and slower decision-making. This is particularly problematic for boards facing complex challenges like geopolitical uncertainty, climate risk, and technological disruption.
4Defining an Inclusive Board
Interviews defined an inclusive board as one where every member feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute. Such boards actively seek and thoughtfully consider diverse perspectives, ensuring all voices are heard. Inclusivity doesn’t mean equal weight for all opinions but ensures decisions are enriched by broad input and made transparently.
5Overlooked Behaviors by Chairs
Interviews identified five behaviors chairs unintentionally overlook that hinder inclusivity. These structural, consequential behaviors span pre-meeting, during-meeting, and post-meeting actions. When chairs intentionally implement these, boards move beyond diversity to harness it effectively in discussions and decisions.
6The Role of Pre-Meeting Calls
Pre-meeting calls can either enhance or detract from inclusivity. Some chairs use these calls to align with certain members or discourage dissent, which stifles open discussion. However, when used to review agendas and encourage quieter voices to speak up, these calls can promote inclusivity.
7Steps for Inclusivity During Meetings
During meetings, chairs can take specific steps to ensure all members participate. For example, giving voice to quieter members, actively soliciting diverse perspectives, and managing discussions equitably are crucial. These actions help integrate the board’s diversity into decision-making.
8Post-Meeting Feedback
Post-meeting feedback processes are essential for sustaining inclusivity. Chairs can identify gaps and make improvements by regularly seeking feedback from members. This ensures members feel valued and included, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
9Structural Changes for Inclusivity
Inclusivity can be achieved through structural changes independent of the chair’s personality. For example, balancing meeting agendas, promoting diverse members to leadership roles, and making decision-making processes more transparent are effective steps.
10The Impact of Inclusivity on Board Effectiveness
Inclusive boards make better decisions and handle complex strategic challenges more effectively. Members with diverse lived experiences, disciplines, and backgrounds bring cognitive diversity. However, chairs must create environments where all members can participate to reap these benefits.
11Five Key Behaviors for Inclusivity
Interviews identified five key behaviors chairs can adopt to enhance inclusivity. These include using pre-meeting calls effectively, surfacing quiet voices, improving feedback processes, and implementing structural changes. These behaviors help boards leverage their diversity effectively.
12Why Inclusivity Matters
Inclusivity enables boards to make better decisions and tackle complex challenges more effectively. It also ensures all members feel valued and included, boosting overall performance. Therefore, prioritizing inclusivity and taking actionable steps is critical for board success.