The Yin and Yang of the Boardroom
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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.
This One Thing article is two things to start: Yin and Yang.
Much of board education likes to zero in on technical knowledge—keeping up with regulatory updates, sharpening financial skills, risk management, and staying on top of industry trends.
These are crucial, no doubt. But they're only one part of the picture.
The other, often overlooked part, is about human skills—the real heart of what makes a board effective.
Before we dive in, let's appreciate the concept of "Yin and Yang" from ancient Chinese philosophy. Yin and Yang represent interconnected and complementary forces that create balance. This parallel I’m drawing on, the Yin and Yang of learning, is where board members need to focus to boost their Board Intelligence (BQ), a concept we've developed at Future Directors.
The Yin: Technical Mastery
Think of technical knowledge as the foundation of any board member’s skill set. It’s about understanding the pure fundamentals of the role, analysing financial statements, navigating risk, developing policy, overseeing operations, and developing strategy. These hard skills are vital - they’re the clear, somewhat measurable aspects of governance.
Many board members spend a lot of time perfecting these skills through courses, seminars and certifications. It’s easy to see why: the impact of technical expertise is immediate and obvious.
But while technical skills can keep things running smoothly, it’s the human skills that truly drive a board's success.
The Yang: Human Skills
Human skills - often called soft skills. These are less visible but incredibly powerful. They include communication, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and teamwork. In the
The Yang: Human Skills
Human skills - often called soft skills. These are less visible but incredibly powerful. They include communication, emotional intelligence…
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