In this episode of the Board Dynamics podcast, Dorrit engages in a deep conversation with Peter Koefoed, a seasoned psychologist with extensive experience in both psychotherapeutic and organisational settings. Dorrit and Peter explore the concept of mentalization and its significance in board dynamics, particularly during critical situations like succession. Peter shares insights on how understanding the emotional and psychological aspects of board members can enhance decision-making and foster a more collaborative environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Mentalization in Board Dynamics: Mentalization is the ability to understand actions in terms of thoughts, feelings, wishes, and desires, which is crucial for effective collaboration in board settings.

• Importance of Acknowledging Differences: In a board, members come from diverse backgrounds and represent various interests. Acknowledging these differences and creating a safe space for discussion can enhance trust and improve decision-making processes.

• Handling Succession Crises: Succession, especially when unexpected, can create a crisis within a board. It's essential to recognise the emotional investments in the outgoing leader and facilitate discussions that allow members to express their feelings and concerns.

• Active Listening Techniques: Implementing active listening strategies, such as summarising others' viewpoints before presenting one's own, can foster a more inclusive environment.

• Continuous Reflection and Integration: Regularly revisiting past discussions and decisions in meetings can help maintain continuity and integration within the board.

BEST MOMENTS

"Mentalizing is the ability to understand actions by both other people and oneself in terms of thoughts, feelings, wishes and desires."

"If the board is malfunctioning and only some on the board is heard and seen, that will create a dynamic which is not healthy."

"You have to acknowledge people's differences. Maybe when you hear people that are expressing exactly the opposite as yourself, you maybe will find that it resonates at something in yourself."

"It's important to spend some time letting people talk about what is going on and what... qualities and competences we need with the new CEO."

"You can actually do it, but also accepting that daily board work is not, there's a pressure on time, but you have to balance it."

HOST BIO

Dorrit Kromann uses her competent network to provide solutions to real problems in boards. Dorrit is experienced in organisational development, going from turnarounds in hospitals to the growth of IT start-ups. From the board experience, Dorrit has used the psychodynamic organisational psychology to onboard, understand and solve any board challenge, going from how to recruit new members to business challenges to conflicts of interest.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

Have you ever been stuck in a challenge in a board meeting? Have you ever felt unheard in a board meeting? Have you ever thought that the business and strategy go in the wrong direction? Have you ever had a suspicion that something was wrong in the company?

Board Dynamics podcast will take you through some cases showing these challenges, analyse the cases and tell you what to do in such situations.

In this episode of the Board Dynamics podcast, Dorrit engages in an insightful conversation with Annette, a seasoned entrepreneur and board member, who shares her extensive journey from startup to scale-up and beyond. Annette discusses the complexities of navigating multiple roles as both an owner and a board member, emphasising the importance of diversity in board composition and the value of embracing conflicts as a source of energy and growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Navigating Multiple Roles: Successfully managing multiple roles within a startup, such as being an owner, CEO, and board member, requires a clear understanding of the different responsibilities associated with each role.

2. Importance of Diversity in the Board: Building a diverse board with members who possess different competencies and perspectives is crucial for the success of a startup.

3. Value of Conflict: Conflicts can be a source of energy and innovation within a team. Embracing conflicts as opportunities for growth and discussion can lead to better outcomes, provided they are managed constructively.

4. Strategic Focus: Startups often get bogged down in tactical and operational tasks. It's vital to maintain a strategic focus by defining clear goals and visions, which can guide the team and help prioritise actions that align with long-term objectives.

5. Due Diligence for Board Members: Before joining a board, potential members should conduct thorough due diligence on the company, including its financial health, governance structure, and the values of existing owners.

BEST MOMENTS

"If you have not tried it before, I'm sure I can tell you. So perhaps not that typical for a woman, but this is how I feel about new things."

"If you don't have the ability actually to make sure that you manage to be out of control, then you can't make it as an entrepreneur."

"Conflicts are sometimes very, very important... If you get into a conflict, it's because you are passionate about something."

"Make sure that you actually see this as very, very important capital to have interest in humans."

"Look into how is the company run? What are the targets? What is the economic situation?"

OUR LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorrit-kromann-29b4041/

https://kromanns.com/en/

HOST BIO

Dorrit Kromann uses her competent network to provide solutions to real problems in boards. Dorrit is experienced in organisational development, going from turnarounds in hospitals to the growth of IT start-ups. From the board experience, Dorrit has used the psychodynamic organisational psychology to onboard, understand and solve any board challenge, going from how to recruit new members to business challenges to conflicts of interest.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

Have you ever been stuck in a challenge in a board meeting? Have you ever felt unheard in a board meeting? Have you ever thought that the business and strategy go in the wrong direction? Have you ever had a suspicion that something was wrong in the company?

Board Dynamics podcast will take you through some cases showing these challenges, analyse the cases and tell you what to do in such situations.

In this insightful podcast episode, Dorrit engages in a deep conversation with Anne Eberhard, a seasoned board professional with extensive experience in both Danish and international boards. Dorrit and Anne explore the evolving landscape of board diversity over the past decade, discussing the importance of gender diversity and the complexities that arise from diverse perspectives in decision-making. Anne shares her journey from a successful banking career to becoming a full-time board member and advisor, emphasising the need for boards to adapt to increasing external complexities while maintaining effective internal dynamics.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Diversity: Diversity in boards is crucial not only for gender representation but also for bringing different competencies, backgrounds, and perspectives.

• Preparation and Proactivity: Board members should come well-prepared, not just by reading documents but by understanding industry trends, competitors, and the overall market landscape.

• Role of the Chair: The chairperson plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive environment within the boardroom. They must ensure that all voices are heard and that discussions are constructive, helping to mitigate biases and encourage open dialogue.

• Value-Adding Behaviour: Boards should focus on being value-adding rather than burdensome to management. This involves understanding the company's core offerings, being aware of external risks and opportunities, and maintaining a balance between oversight and support.

• Lifelong Learning and Adaptability: Continuous education and staying updated on relevant trends, such as ESG and cybersecurity, are essential for board members.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think sometimes we have to also as women not to focus too much on can we do this leadership role or can we do this and that—I mean just do it and just grab the opportunities."

"Diversity creates better discussions and also makes us make better decisions."

"I think it's really crucial to understand the purpose why we are here, but also to have an understanding of the core offering of the company."

"As a woman, we just have to be 10% better than the others to be equally accepted."

"I think it's very important that the board is value-adding in its behavior and not becomes a burden of the management team."

OUR LINKS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorrit-kromann-29b4041/

https://kromanns.com/en/

HOST BIO

Dorrit Kromann uses her competent network to provide solutions to real problems in boards. Dorrit is experienced in organisational development, going from turnarounds in hospitals to the growth of IT start-ups. From the board experience, Dorrit has used the psychodynamic organisational psychology to onboard, understand and solve any board challenge, going from how to recruit new members to business challenges to conflicts of interest.

PODCAST DESCRIPTION

Have you ever been stuck in a challenge in a board meeting? Have you ever felt unheard in a board meeting? Have you ever thought that the business and strategy go in the wrong direction? Have you ever had a suspicion that something was wrong in the company?

Board Dynamics podcast will take you through some cases showing these challenges, analyse the cases and tell you what to do in such situations.