In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Dr. Keri Jacobs and Richard Fagerlin discuss how directors can shift from a hands-on management mindset to one focused on governance and policy. They explore why operational conversations often creep into the boardroom and how boards can stay grounded in their strategic responsibilities.
Many directors enter the boardroom with a management mindset, especially those transitioning from operational roles or member backgrounds.
A historical shift from management boards to policy boards is still in progress, contributing to confusion about the board’s proper role.
Operational drift can undermine executive accountability and distract boards from long-term strategy and policy oversight.
Onboarding should clarify what directors are responsible for—and not—through explicit guidelines, examples, and shared discussion.
Board culture, chair-CEO collaboration, and meeting structure all influence whether directors stay aligned with governance responsibilities.
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