The 'Great 8': essential roles of a board leader.

• Position: BOARD LEADERSHIP - Reprint

Ed. Note: The following advisory on board leadership appeared in February 2015 on the RHR Blog, an editorial feature on the website of consulting firm RHR International (www.rhrinternational. com). RHR is a firm of management psychologists and consultants who work closely with top management to accelerate individual, team and business performance.

Great boards don't materialize without great board leadership. Leadership is the essential catalyst for the other building blocks of great boards. There are eight essential roles that a board leader must play on a great board. These "Great 8" roles are described below.

1. The Orchestra Conductor: The chair is the lead facilitator. A great chair tees up the right issues and these are resolved with thorough deliberation and decision making. They don't have to necessarily have all the answers but they certainly ask the questions and draw out the best thinking. Brings the best ideas out of every director and works with directors to mold the solution to each of the problems that arises. Inviting open discussion and debate but walking the line to make sure there's action. Sets the right agenda and drives constructive deliberation through to timely decisions. Focusing on the right topics. Make sure dialogue stays at the right level. Bringing focus to the right issues at the right time with the right degree of intensity. Knowing where to poke and when to stop listening.

   Make sure the right people are in the right place (e.g., committee membership).

2. The Galvanizer: Board leadership attracts great talent and enlists them in a common pursuit of "special" goals and achievements. Making sure people are engaged and inspired. Making sure they're aligned on key priorities, and know where they want to go. Brokering consensus amidst dissension. Chairs work the room well: Contagiously confident.

3. The Culture Steward: Great leadership creates an environment where all directors are fully engaged and involved--they get every director "under the tent." Positive conflict is encouraged. Everyone has a voice. Intentional about setting the tone, creating the culture that supports strategy and what they must accomplish. A culture that promotes open discussion, the abilityfor everyone to be heard, service, and role clarity. Genuine respect for people with different opinions.

   Help the CEO understand what is going on with the board and vice versa.

4. The Visionary: Great leadership always has their eyes and aspirations on the...