16 | Shifting the Director Mindset: Are You in Managing Mode or Policy Mode?

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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