The Beta board: it is time to move beyond the Alpha model of governance. If you are thinking of joining a board, here is how to tell if it's a Beta one.

• Author: Ardi, Dana
• Position: ENDNOTE

And one way Beta boards accomplish that is by creating an internal "tribal council" of high-potential employees who can advise them on initiatives, engage in debate over points of strategy, and develop relationships that reach deep within the company.

Of course, not all organizations are ready to accept this kind of active role on the part of their board, which means prospective members can conduct some homework of their own before deciding whether they're interested in filling an open board seat or not.

If you are thinking of joining a board, how can you tell if it's a Beta one? You'll need to have a transparent conversation about the skills, competencies, and point of view you can bring to the board. You can start by asking questions like: serving on boards, people capable of furthering the development of the management team as well as other key members of the organization. Beta boards emphasize the use of compassion, structure, and the need to build working relationships throughout the organizations they serve. Rather than place themselves on top of the organization, they work to integrate and collaborate within it. Boards have to stop thinking like they are some form of tribunal that sits on top of the organization. Rather, they need to get better at engaging the organization

* Do I have skills that the company can take advantage of?

* Will I have a voice at the table?

* Can I really impact the organization's strategy?

* Will I have an opportunity to coach and mentor the people at all levels in the organization?

* Can I really lead?

You can also ask to have conversations with managers within the company to see how effective the board has been in providing them with insight and support. You should also assess if the board has provided any innovations for the company in how it has offered guidance in issues of succession, compensation, and development.

Joining a Beta board also means you need to be willing to make a significant commitment of time and energy to the company. It will involve more than just attending quarterly meetings. You will need to commit to building meaningful relationships throughout the company, including with other directors and the leadership team. That's what being a Beta board member is all about.

When we think about why some companies are more effective than others, we don't always focus on its board of directors as a source for that competitive advantage. But why is that?

Boards were originally formed as a way...