Preparing for Life as a Board Member with Dr Keith Dorsey | Ep. 116
Release Date: 05/13/2025
Board Shorts Podcast
How can Board Members navigate the rapid evolution of AI without succumbing to fear or hype? As a "Geriatric Millennial," I'm sharing how I’m navigating this rapidly evolving technology without falling into the trap of hype or fear. While GenAI presents risks, it also offers significant opportunities that Boards must understand and govern effectively. Key Takeaways for (Human) Board Members Human-in-the-Loop Approach: The most effective use of GenAI requires human interaction to correct for biases, hallucinations, and misinformation. Using it as a "colleague" rather than a...
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Watermark Search International – an executive and Board search firm – recently released their (somewhat) annual . This index reviewed the 2,100 Board Seats across the ASX300 Boards and evaluated those seats on a range of diversity attributes. As I read through this report, a few things jumped out at me that are worth diving a little deeper into, particularly for aspiring Board Members. In this episode, I discuss Formal Governance Credentials and Board Member Qualifications (do you need one to join a Board?), Director Location (competition for Board roles is international), and Age...
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Welcome to a special masterclass edition! In this episode, I'm sharing the full recording of my live masterclass, originally held in our vibrant . If you've been wondering how to genuinely break into the Boardroom and truly make an impact, this episode is your strategic roadmap. I dive deep into the underlying theory and practical application of my proven 8-step approach from the Break into the Boardroom course. This isn't about luck; it's about intentional strategy. In this comprehensive masterclass, you'll discover: How to set a precise Board Goal: Defining where your first or...
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Just landed that Board seat? Congratulations! But the real journey starts now. Your first 90 days as a Board member are critical for establishing credibility, building relationships, and making a tangible impact. In this episode, we'll walk you through a practical roadmap for making the most of your time as a baby Board Member. In this episode, you'll learn: Five essential self-onboarding strategies to get you up to speed quickly and independently, from deep-diving into foundational documents like the constitution and Board charter, to strategically introducing yourself to the wider...
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Congratulations, you've landed a Board seat! Now, what happens inside that Boardroom? This episode tackles the anxiety of your first Board meeting, sharing practical ways to build confidence and hit the ground running. This episode demystifies what to expect, covering: The Typical Board Meeting Flow: Understand the agenda, from "in camera" sessions to key reports and decision points. Essential Documents & Effective Reading: Learn about strategy updates, CEO reports, financials, and risk updates – and Lisa's method for efficiently processing large Board packs. Board Pack &...
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We’re discussing a critical topic for Aspiring and emerging Board Members: the fundamental mindset shifts from being a high-achieving executive to an effective Board Member. If you're ready to make a real impact at the governance level, this episode is for you. We explore why the "doing" or operational mindset, so valuable in executive roles, can actually hinder your contribution as a Board Member. And we talk about how the Director Mindset, can help you to shift your focus from day-to-day execution to strategic oversight, long-term sustainability, and robust governance. In this episode,...
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Earlier this month (May 2025), BoardPro hosted a webinar on '' with Giselle McLachlan, Fiona McKenzie, and I, and the response was incredible. The questions flooded in – a testament to how vital and shared this issue is across Boards and country boundaries. We simply couldn't get to all the questions in the time we had in the webinar, so I invited Giselle and Fiona onto the Board Shorts Podcast for a special Q&A episode, answering all of those questions we couldn’t get to in the webinar. If you haven’t seen the webinar yet, I encourage you to . Some of the things we talk about...
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I'm so excited to share this conversation with you! I've found a kindred spirit in Dr. Keith Dorsey, who, like me, is dedicated to helping people navigate the often-uncharted territory of embarking on a board career. Dr. Keith D. Dorsey is an executive coach, author, and expert in leadership development and corporate governance. With over 25 years of experience, Keith is passionate about helping senior leaders secure seats at the corporate boardroom table. His new book, , offers actionable strategies for aspiring board members and independent directors seeking their next board seat. In...
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Are you being talked about in the rooms you're not in? I chat with LinkedIn branding expert Carol Kaemmerer about turning quiet credibility into commanding presence to land board roles. Discover why who knows you matters most and how to become authentically visible and influential, even as an introvert. Carol shares practical steps to troubleshoot your visibility, leverage LinkedIn effectively, and define the three key things you want to be known for. Key Takeaways: Understanding executive influence and why professional visibility is crucial for aspiring Board Members. Troubleshooting...
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I’m exploring a crucial aspect of your Board search that goes far beyond simply responding to job advertisements: how to strategically use your Board Resume to proactively open doors to the Boardroom. We often focus on crafting that perfect Board Resume, investing time and energy to showcase our unique value. But what happens after it's written? Are you just waiting for the ideal Board advertisement to land in your inbox? The reality is, many desirable Board positions, especially paid ones, are never publicly advertised. This episode will equip you with the understanding and actionable...
info_outlineI'm so excited to share this conversation with you! I've found a kindred spirit in Dr. Keith Dorsey, who, like me, is dedicated to helping people navigate the often-uncharted territory of embarking on a board career.
Dr. Keith D. Dorsey is an executive coach, author, and expert in leadership development and corporate governance. With over 25 years of experience, Keith is passionate about helping senior leaders secure seats at the corporate boardroom table. His new book, The Boardroom Journey: Practical Guidance for Women to Secure a Seat at the Table, offers actionable strategies for aspiring board members and independent directors seeking their next board seat.
In this episode, we tackle some of the most pressing questions for anyone considering a board role: How do you really know you're ready? What's the best way to take that first step, and what kind of support system do you need to succeed? Dr. Dorsey brings a unique perspective to these questions, drawing from his extensive experience and his doctoral research.
Keith and I explore the five essential types of capital needed for your board journey – with a special focus on the often-underestimated "commitment capital." We also delve into the vital roles of self-belief and perseverance, and uncover practical strategies for finding and leveraging mentors, sponsors, and allies.
Plus, for those who are eager to prepare for the boardroom but aren't quite ready to launch their search, Dr. Dorsey shares actionable steps you can take right now to build your skills and readiness.
Specifically, in this episode, we discuss:
- How you know - or get to know - that you’re ready for Board service.
- The first step you should take on your Board career journey.
- The five types of Capital required for your Board journey.
- Why self-belief and perseverance are so important for a Board journey.
- How you can best find and use mentors, sponsors, and allies to support your Board aspirations.
- What are the steps or actions that you can take now to skill-up for the Boardroom (particularly if you’re not quite ready to start your Board journey but it is on your horizon)?
Get ready for an insightful and empowering conversation that will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to take control of your board career journey.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Dr Keith's Website: boardroomjourney.com
Book: The Boardroom Journey: Practical Guidance for Women to Secure a Seat at the Table
Program: Build Your Board Resume (open for enrolment until Sunday, 18 May 2025)
Course: Break into the Boardroom (self-paced and always open for enrolment)
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