The Future of Board Leadership looks POSITIVE!

Are you living on the edge?  The Unconvention last week challenged many of us about the future of board leadership and the NFP sector.  The speakers and panelists inspired new insights and learning for all.  Here are a few comments from the day:

“Thank you so much – an incredibly thought provoking morning”
“It was extremely valuable and on point”
“I now know that I can be an agent for change within my team/organisation”
“I would not miss an Unconvention”

Proud to be supporting Emerging Leaders in Governance after being in the inaugural 2013 program #unconperth #perth pic.twitter.com/ygIyOLFqxA

— Louise Forster (@loubaforster) March 14, 2017

The Future with Adam Jorlen

Futurist Adam Jorlen shared some valuable information about the big shifts in working, the organisational structures of the future and how to be an organisation set up for innovation.   Adam is hosting an upcoming series on the Future of Organisations.  You can register here.

Presenting on the future of NFP boards today. Edge players, hybrids and third spaces? #unconperth #foresight pic.twitter.com/6IyHPW83N3 https://t.co/AQUIzzH68O

— Adam Jorlen (@adamjorlen) March 14, 2017

Board Leadership Panel

The Panel session brought together an amazing group of directors who shared their experiences on the leadership required by boards. Just a few of the key points that were shared include:

• the need for creative and courageous leadership on boards
• board directors need to get on the ground and listen to clients and staff
• keep service users front of mind in all decisions
• board diversity is taking too long and strategic decisions and actions need to be taken
• re-examine your constitution to modernise
• if there is an attitude of ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’ – that can be a real problem
• Look at your board structure – bring sessional members to provide expertise

Tony Vis asks “how prepared/able are you – as a board member – to disagree, but not be disagreeable?”. #unconperth pic.twitter.com/XNWnnmru21

— sarahscustard (@sarahscustard) March 14, 2017

Unconvention participants thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the ideas and information presented in the first couple of sessions in their breakout groups.

Launch of the Difference Makers diversity awards

We were also able to share news that we are launching the Difference Maker Awards recognising boards and directors who are championing diversity in the NFP sector. You can listen to Dr Nicky Howe talk about the new awards here.   More details will be released very soon. 

Justine Colyer on Mergers

The morning finished with Justine Colyer, CEO of Rise Network sharing her knowledge and experiences on Mergers.  It was jam packed with practical strategies to support organisations merging together effectively.  Some of the takeaways included:

• Be open to the opportunities of merging – be an organisation that others want to merge with
• Be honest about your merger experience
• Most mergers fail to bring two cultures together
• Corporate merger experience may not be useful in NFP mergers
• Start conversations early and keep communicating.  Also share what won’t change as well as what will

Using Technology

We used an online real time brainstorming tool to capture thoughts, ideas and foster communication.  Here is a snapshot of the Group Map that was created by participants throughout the day:

Thank you to Herbert Smith Freehills for hosting this Unconvention, Chartered Accountants WA and Suzy Lou Photography.

Our next event is the State of the Nation Sun-downer where the inaugural winners of the Difference Maker Awards will be announced.  Register your tickets here.