How Do I know If I am Board Ready?

While viewpoints vary on what makes a candidate board ready, the following criteria can help to determine your level of board-readiness.

Quantitative Criteria

Aspiring Directors

• Interest in directorship
  
• No private or public board experience
  
• Some operational business experience/expertise, but limited enterprise-wide business acumen
  
• Currently serve on small not-for-profit board
  
• For-profit executive or professional service provider who interacts with boards currently, with longer-term aspirations of serving on boards
  

Emerging Directors

•  Experienced executive/professional with good business acumen developed through 15+ years of work  experience, 5+ years in a leadership capacity
  
•  Senior management/leadership roles such as C-suite, senior partner, government or military 
  
• Former or current director of a small- or medium-sized for-profit corporation, or a mid- to large-sized not-for-profit board 
  

Seasoned Directors

• Experienced executive/professional with strong business acumen developed through 20+ years of work  experience, 10+ years in a leadership capacity
  
•  Leadership roles such as C-suite, senior partner, government or military
  
•  Past or current director of for-profit boards including publicly-listed corporations
  

Qualitative Criteria

• Articulate communicator and good listener
  
• High level of emotional intelligence ability to understand the dynamics of the boardroom, how to deal with conflict when it arises
  
• Ability to balance a sense of unity with an openness to all relevant information even at risk of a fracas from time to time
  
• Have a balanced sense of caution and have demonstrated success when taking prudent risks
  
• Highly refined ability to self-assess 
  
• Can enhance contribution through feedback
  
• Can lead when appropriate, but aware of collective responsibility and engagement
  
• Can challenge constructively and be supportive when necessary
  
•  Sharp mind and good judgment
  
• Self-confident without being ego-driven
  
• Courage to stand up for that which is in the best interests of the company
  
• Team player