Startup Boards, 2nd Edition

Chapter 32Communicating Effectively

Board members might have trouble making sure their voice is heard, particularly first-time board members. Your communication preferences and style impact this, but it's also inversely proportional to the number of people on the board. With three people on the board, you should have no problem making a point. With seven, you may find that speaking time is at a premium.

This challenge also varies by the nature and composition of the board. You'll feel constrained if you find yourself in a room stacked with ego-laden people demanding to be in the spotlight. You may also be aware that you're the new person to the group, the first woman, or the first person of color on the board. If you're serving on a board, the company chose you for a reason, and your views are as important as everyone else's, so you must make your voice heard.

Hopefully, your board's CEO and lead director are skilled meeting facilitators who make sure to call on every director to speak in discussions while knowing how to read a room to draw comments out of directors. But if not, here are a few suggestions for making your voice heard.

• Communicate Issues in Advance: No one likes to be surprised. If you have a tricky issue you want to raise at a board meeting, mention it ahead of time to the CEO. It's an effective way to be clear that you want to discuss issues.
• Be Direct: It's okay to interrupt, especially if the group moves from a topic you wish to address. Don't be afraid ...