Conflict In The Boardroom

Conflict at the top pervades the whole organisation.  Staff, customers and others may not know directly that the decisions made are the result of disagreement, power struggles or apathy but they know the impact of poor decisions, constant reversals of strategy and policy, or inaction.

The Healthy Board.

A Healthy Board is one

• Where members each bring their own viewpoints, expertise and differing styles together to ensure that robust debate takes place and all angles are explored before major decisions are made.
• They act in the common interest of making the organisation succeed.   
• Once decisions are agreed, the Board members then demonstrate solidarity and support the execution of those decisions.

Family Businesses

Family businesses have their own special range of issues.  It is not always easy for family members to separate out how they relate to each other as family members from how they should be with business colleagues.

Some particular areas where they may benefit from outside help is:

• Succession planning.
  The older generation may need to think through how to let go of the reins.  How to trust their children in adult roles and accept that they will bring in new ideas and ways of doing things.
  
  The younger generation may have difficulty accepting responsibility or introducing change in a sensitive manner especially with staff who may have worked with their parent for many years.
  
  
• Handing Difference of Opinion
  Special consideration needs to be thought through where all parties want to maintain good family relations whilst disagreeing at work.  This is especially important where third party family members are also involved.  For instance where father and son disagree, the opinion and needs of the mother or daughter in law may influence choices.

As impartial outsiders we can help family members disentangle these issues and find solutions that everyone can live with.

Partnerships

Partnerships can particularly run into problems when each partner wants something different from the business.  Even if one partner has a controlling share other partners agreement may be needed as their input is vital to the success of the business.

Mediation is a particularly strong way of resolving these difficulties.  As an impartial outsider the mediator can help partners work through what each of them really wants from the business and help them work through plans together that reconcile those different needs.

Shareholders and Board Members.

To achieve a healthy constructive Board where members add a valuable contribution we can help in several ways

• Choosing new Board members, non-executive and executive who complement and add value to the decision making.  
• Board development.  Working through how to use this expertise to the best benefit of the organisation.
• Leadership Development for new non-executives to learn how to monitor performance and advise on strategy without becoming either embroiled in the day to day management or so distant that they are not aware of what is really happening
• Leadership Development for new executive board members making the transition to working at this strategic level and interacting and developing trust with the non executive team.
• Mediation.  Where a board runs into trouble and conflict emerges mediation through its impartial and highly structured approach can help the Board to resolve its issues and focus back on strategic decision making and corporate governance responsibilities.

We can help you have productive working relationships at the top and develop a Healthy Board that takes the business where you want it to go.

Call us for a boardroom health check