Listen Now

It’s part two of last ep’s convo with FDI’s Paul Smith and tech & governance experts, Pia Turcinov and Alan Jones. This time they’re thinking about how those ‘dangerous and disruptive tech folk’ can reframe what they offer, in order to get a seat at the boardroom table in the first place.  The conversation spans: Why techy directors are seen as risky. Creating bridges in to the boardroom that can then grow more organically - from digital innovation subcommittees, to just one expert at the table. Getting the supply by reframing technologists as innovators. Speaking the language the board is speaking right now. Not just bringing in the technology of innovation, but also the processes of innovation – including, comfort with failure. Pia Turcinov is a Non-Executive Director and Innovation Strategist, and founder of Venture X and Fund WA. Alan John is a startup founder mentor and tech investor, who is a partner with M8 Ventures, and the chair of Catalysr, an entrepreneurship program focused on marginalised migrants and refugees.

You could be a banana farm. An insurer. A school network. It doesn’t matter. Digital tech is now so integral to day-to-day life that, whatever business you’re in, you’re now a technology business. So why don’t more boards have tech at the top of their minds? Why are Australia’s ASX toppers the top tech laggers? That forms the topic of conversation today between board directors Pia Turcinov and Alan Jones and FDI’s Paul Smith. The conversation spans: Why techy directors are seen as risky. Creating bridges in to the boardroom that can then grow more organically - from digital innovation subcommittees, to just one expert at the table. Getting the supply by reframing technologists as innovators. Speaking the language the board is speaking right now. Not just bringing in the technology of innovation, but also the processes of innovation – including, comfort with failure. Pia Turcinov is a Non-Executive Director and Innovation Strategist, and founder of Venture X and Fund WA. Alan John is a startup founder mentor and tech investor, who is a partner with M8 Ventures, and the chair of Catalysr, an entrepreneurship program focused on marginalised migrants and refugees.

In the last of our series we Matt we talk about one of the most important people in the boardroom...the Chair. You’ve probably heard the analogy about the board chair being like an orchestra conductor. Matt Fullbrook of Fullbrook Board Effective thinks that’s bunkum. He has a different analogy - and it’s to do with dinner parties. FDI’s Paul riffs with Matt on making board leadership better.  We workshop: Is leadership evolving? The conventional understanding of a board chair Introducing a new analogy - board chairs as great dinner hosts The role of the board in co-creating the right atmos for decision-making How to chair better in a virtual environment Should we have 2 chairs? 1 for the mechanical stuff, another for the generative stuff? The power of practice and play in breaking board norms Connect with Matt FullbrookLinkedinTwitter Board Effectiveness Connect with Future Directors InstituteFuture Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn

Leah Fricke has a term for the meat she brings to her non-executive director roles: “Deliberate Practice”. It’s about consciously and continually reflecting on what your board will need in 3 years, and actively becoming it – through extracurricular learning and self-development. It’s what made Leah stand out to FDI judges to become 2022's first ever Future Director Of The Year. And it’s what might make you stand out in the boardroom too (and this year’s Awards).  Paul and Leah discuss: Leah’s traditional, yet untraditional, journey to the boardroom How limited time/money can actually focus a board’s attention A cut-throat quality that keeps Leah sharp – upskill or step aside Expounding on “Deliberate Practice”: The power of a growth mindset and continual questioning of oneself And lastly, Leah’s judging this year’s Future Director/Board Of The Year Awards. What’s she looking for?  

Here's another short episode with Paul sharing his wisdom to help you in your board career. This week, it's all about your why. As Simon Sinek's book suggests "Start with Why" but for us at Future Directors, there are far more reasons beyond the start point that makes your why such a critical (non-negotiable) element of your journey. Enjoy!

Does the phrase ‘corporate governance’ apply to non-profits, schools, community groups etc? Yes, but for many, it doesn't and Paul (solo this time) is here to explain why governance has a positioning problem.

“How does this impact us?” is a question you’ll often hear in boardrooms. But less so, “Who is the us?” and “Isn’t the us also the environment and the community?” or “Should we think about what we can have a positive impact on, versus just thinking about what we’ll be negatively impacted by?”. Powerful questions, all discussed by FDI’s Paul and governance guru Matt Fullbrook of Fullbrook Board Effectiveness, in this podcast about how ‘left-of-field’ issues might not be that ‘left’ after all. We spitball: Reasons to think outside your board’s direct impact zone Why it’s impossible to benefit everyone, but important to consider everyone Stakeholder representation in the boardroom and conflicts of interest in being a representative for other voices on the board How to bake stakeholder thinking into your board’s practices   Connect with Matt FullbrookLinkedinTwitter Board Effectiveness Connect with Future Directors InstituteFuture Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn

Spotify’s big drawcard Joe Rogan said some stuff. Stupid stuff. And Spotify got heat because Joe’s values butted against their publicly stated ones. So what’s a board to do? Today, FDI’s Paul yacks with good friend Matt Fullbrook of Fullbrook Board Effectiveness, about what things a board could do better in a crisis.  We cover: How a Future Director should respond to an ethical dilemma Why knee-jerk reactions are wrong and current crisis meetings are broken Are day-to-day crises even in the board’s purview? Mutual vulnerability between management and their board, and the board’s responsibility to create this The need to be imaginative when developing a Risk Register Connect with Matt FullbrookLinkedinTwitter Board Effectiveness Connect with Future Directors InstituteFuture Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn

Today is another joyful forum with Matt Fullbrook of Fullbrook Board Effectiveness and FDI’s Paul Smith. This time, the question’s squarely on what sort of director is the director the future needs? Let’s hear Matt dimensionalise what being a Future Director means to him. We explore: A strong definition of corporate governance (and by extension, good governance) The 4 villains to good decision-making The upside of being untethered to orthodoxy, naive in a sense Making a fit-for-purpose board, rather than a one-size-fits-all board How an overboarder could flip a boardroom for the better What a board full of Matt Fullbrooks would look like   Resources: ‘Decisive’ by Chip & Dan Heath  Connect with Matt FullbrookLinkedinTwitter Board Effectiveness Connect with Future Directors InstituteFuture Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn

A weird cultural thing’s emerged through the history and formality of boardrooms, which has made it a space that makes directors lonely. Vulnerability is seen as a weakness because comradery is weak. Today, FDI’s Paul chats with Matt Fullbrook of Fullbrook Board Effectiveness - on how what boards and directors can do to click. Obnoxious wisdom awaits. We discuss: Why boards breed loneliness, and whether this is just a human problem How boards can make people comfortable by switching up rigid ways of doing things What individual board directors can do to feel less lonely The power of being consciously obnoxious Connect with Matt FullbrookLinkedinTwitter Board Effectiveness Connect with Future Directors InstituteFuture Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed this, we’d love to know. Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes

Future Directors Podcast #69 Governing for Burnout Series Part 2 - How to create a workplace culture that limits staff burnout When people are working weekends and not taking leave, it’s clear mental ill health is a-brewing. How do you ensure it doesn’t get to that point? That’s the focus of Part 3 of our ‘Governing For Burnout’ series, with Dr Jaelea Skehan, Director of Everymind. We discuss: How a workplace’s culture helps its bottom line How Covid’s fucked everything up Going beyond wellness lessons. Building wellbeing into people’s job designs. Lag signs and lead signs of burnout Jaelea’s secret ingredients to a great mental health culture (not that secret at all) Connect with Everymind Dr Jaelea Skehan on Twitter Everymind Connect with Future Directors Institute Future Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Aisling Blackmore on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the first in this series, we’d love to know. Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes  

Future Directors Podcast #68 Governing for Burnout Series Part 2 - Burnout, board director to board director When a board is at their limits, they can’t take their org to its potential. This is Part 2 of our ‘Governing For Burnout’ series. In it, Dr Jaelea Skehan, Director of Everymind and mental health advocate, breaks down how board directors can prevent each other from breaking down. We chat about: The need to make boards a safe place to say you’re burnt out Your duty to govern your mental health, and check in with others Creating codes of conduct and adopting an org’s wellness plans at board level too Board directors being vulnerable about burnout outside the boardroom Connect with Everymind Dr Jaelea Skehan on Twitter Everymind Connect with Future Directors Institute Future Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Aisling Blackmore on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the first in this series, we’d love to know. Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes

Future Directors Podcast #67 Governing for Burnout Series Part 1 - How to manage your own burnout as a board director Boardrooms breed burnout. Most board directors are the hard-nosed sort to gloss over it. That’s a problem. In this, Part 1 of our ‘Governing For Burnout’ series, Dr Jaelea Skehan, Director of Everymind and mental health advocate, sits with FDI’s Paul and Aisling to skirt the start of a solution. We go through: What burnout is and isn’t Why board directors are prone to it Warning signs you’re burnt out Steps to reverse your fizzle and fatigue   Connect with Everymind Dr Jaelea Skehan on Twitter Everymind Connect with Future Directors Institute Future Directors Insititute Paul Smith on LinkedIn Aisling Blackmore on LinkedIn Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the first in this series, we’d love to know. Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes

We are called the Future Directors Institute, but what exactly is a Future Director and why is it not a future director? In this short trailer for the podcast, we want to give you a clue as to why it's worth listening to Paul and his guests. You could say that the entire podcast going forward is designed around this simple, yet deep concept.

Wow, it's been 12 months since our last podcast. So much has happened. All you need to know is we are back! What can you expect? Shorter episodes of 15-20min or less Fascinating guests from around the world Huge focus on real solutions to director & board issues Perhaps the odd longer interview dropped in

In this special Decision84-related episode, we have two amazing guests, Sharon Sutherland and Dr. Dean Blomson, discussing the future of boards. Sharon is the leader with Ernst Young’s Global Center for Board Matters. In her work, she enables board members and directors to navigate their increasingly complex roles. Dr. Dean Blomson is a highly experienced business transformation strategist and professor at UTS Business School in Sydney. In this episode, we chat about Decision84, our upcoming annual virtual board governance summit, and give a sneak peek into the opening session featuring Sharon and Dean: How do we make sure the board can ask the right questions at the right time on the right topics and with the right information? How do you exercise stewardship, focusing on how to leave something in a better shape than you found it? What ways can the investments in the major capital projects be better thought through and better implemented? What are the global megatrends affecting society, organizations, and communities in the longer term? Technology and transformational change. Shift in geographical dynamics and values dynamics. How can the organization address the challenges by looking at the root cause? How do we know as a board that our operating model is fit for purpose? Connect with Sharon: LinkedIn Connect with Dean: LinkedIn Connect with Paul: LinkedIn  Future Directors Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the show, we'd love to know!  Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes

This special episode features Paul Smith chatting with this podcast's former co-host, Anna Byrne, about our upcoming virtual board governance summit, Decision84. Decision84 is the world’s leading board governance virtual summit. Held over 2 weeks from 31 August to 9 September, hundreds of decision-makers come together to learn, connect, debate and stretch their thinking. Decision84 is the only international event designed exclusively for those ready to stretch their thinking, push boardroom boundaries and help create the next era of governance. In this episode, you will find out: Why did Anna and Paul start Decision84 last year? What were the highlights of the inaugural event in 2020? Why is it called Decision84? What makes the summit different from other governance conferences? What will be discussed at Decision84 this year? What is the special discount code for listeners of the podcast? Check out www.decision84.com for more information. Connect with Anna: LinkedIn NeuroPower Group Connect with Paul: LinkedIn  Future Directors Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the show, we'd love to know!  Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes

Quick reminder that this is Part 2 of Charlotte’s episode. If you’ve not already listened to Part 1, we suggest checking it out first, then coming back to enjoy the second half. In Part 2, Charlotte and Paul question why board governance just doesn’t seem exciting to many people – and we think they’ve found the answer. Listen to the episode to find out. You’ll also hear about: The benefits of reverse mentoring How to overcome intergenerational clashes How do these clashes feed into the bigger picture? Do we need less ‘numbers people’ and more ‘people people’ in the boardroom? What are Charlotte’s hopes for the future of governance, and what are her fears? Charlotte’s essential tips for aspiring directors (of any age/gender/experience) Why vulnerability and authenticity are key attributes for great directors If you loved this, you’ll love hearing Charlotte speak at our upcoming Decision84 event.  Connect with Charlotte Valeur: LinkedIn Effective Directors: The Right Questions to Ask Connect with Paul: LinkedIn  Future Directors Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the show, we'd love to know!  Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes

Charlotte Valeur is an experienced non-executive director and listed company Chair, with over 35 years of executive and governance experience. She is a former Chair of the Institute of Directors (UK) and now heads up the Global Governance Group. Her board resume is highly impressive.  Charlotte is also neurodiverse. She first spoke publicly about her autism diagnosis last year (2020) and now works to showcase the strengths and talents of neurodiverse people, especially in the boardroom.  In this first of two episodes with Charlotte, you’ll hear about: Charlotte’s experience opening up about her autism diagnosis Why aren’t more directors and executives able to speak up? Has Charlotte’s diagnosis changed the way she approaches her role on boards? How can we create inclusive decision-making cultures? Is ‘fitting in’ dangerous for good governance? How can board directors balance fitting in and being different? How to deal when people get defensive to new ideas If you loved this, you’ll love hearing Charlotte speak at our upcoming Decision84 event.  Connect with Charlotte Valeur: LinkedIn Effective Directors: The Right Questions to Ask Connect with podcast host and award-winning author Paul Smith: LinkedIn  Future Directors Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the show, we'd love to know!  Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes

This episode features Scott Baldwin, certified board director, governance advisor and co-founder of DirectorPrep.com and The Savvy Director blog.  Scott is well-known as a board director who asks really good questions, so it was exciting getting him on the show and asking him some (hopefully) really good questions. As it turns out he turned the tables on Paul and started asking him great questions!  In this episode, we find out what initially got Scott into board governance and why he’s on a mission to create environments where collaboration and inclusivity are the norm. The chat also dived into: Why is it that too many CEOs dread board meetings? Who should drive an organisation’s board agenda? What’s the number one tool a board has that can effectively control their focus and priorities? Which type of board director can be highly valuable, but not often heard at the table? How can we create collaborative, inclusive boardroom cultures? What are some of the trends in the boardroom at the moment? If you loved this conversation, you will definitely enjoy the conversations we’ll have at our upcoming virtual and international board governance summit, Decision84. Back for its 2nd year, this ground-breaking event is brought to you by Future Directors, NeuroPowerGroup and BoardPro. Decision84 is the event for those directors, governance specialists and business leaders looking to challenge their assumptions and stretch their thinking as high performance decision-makers. With an international lineup of speakers, multiple timing options so anyone, anywhere can attend live, PLUS the opportunity to connect meaningfully with an extraordinary group, this is an event that can’t be missed.  Grab your ‘VIP Early Adopter’ ticket now for exclusive discounts + digital goodie bag worth almost the same as the ticket price + exclusive replays and more. This ticket is limited to the first 84 attendees only). Group discounts are also available. Connect with Scott: LinkedIn  DirectorPrep.com  The Savvy Director Blog Connect with Paul: LinkedIn  Future Directors Follow Future Directors on LinkedIn If you enjoyed the show, we'd love to know!  Leave a quick review here: Future Directors on iTunes