Something Good?
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Future Directors Founder, Paul Smith
ONE THING is for the busy (speak of the devil) Future Director, in which we pick just one thing Future Directors oughta know or do or stew on for the next month. We hope you get something (at least one thing) out of it.
Commentary on corporate governance commonly focuses on what is wrong or missing. The mistakes, the downfalls, the ‘bad stuff’.
And, with the world seemingly in turmoil - divisive politics, endless wars, clashing ideologies… and just trying to keep up with the cost of living - it would be easy to keep focusing on the negative.
Sorry, this was supposed to be an uplifting article. Here’s a kitten and puppy...
Ah, cute!
If you can see that image, it will probably give you a little boost. And, the boost is from a hormone called Serotonin. Unlike the "Happy Hormone" Dopamine that we chase daily, Serotonin is a mood enhancer and can counteract feelings of sadness and depression.
Another wonderful hormone the world could use more of now is Oxytocin. This is the one that creates and strengthens bonds, especially between people. Your body produces Oxytocin naturally, but if you want to feel the love, so to speak, there are lots of ways.
(And read on, as I will relate this to the boardroom).
Yoga, meditation, your favourite music, a massage, time with friends, and having sex. All great ways to boost Oxytocin levels.
Now, I'm not advocating any of these for the boardroom. Yes, even the friends one. It’s often said, that boards should be friendly, rather than friendships. More likely to think independently, avoid biases and entrenching behaviours, etc. But, let's not go there this time.
There is something found in friendships that also gives you that same boost - having meaningful conversations.
Every year, Fullbrook Board Effectiveness run a simple survey of almost 1000 board directors. You can see the data below.
(Source: Matt Fullbrook)
The results show that most boards want to be “significantly more focussed on strategy”. Maybe they’re really saying that they want more meaningful conversations.
About strategy, future challenges, and decisions they have to make. Especially when the wider social context is so complex and constantly changing.
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