The Surprising Path to a Board Seat: Lessons from the Watermark Index | Ep. 122
Release Date: 08/06/2025
How Im Navigating AI in Governance | Ep. 123
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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The Surprising Path to a Board Seat: Lessons from the Watermark Index | Ep. 122
Board Shorts Podcast
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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A Better Way to Get on to Boards | Ep 121
Board Shorts Podcast
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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Your First 90 Days as a Board Member | Ep. 120
Board Shorts Podcast
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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What to Know Before Your First Board Meeting | Ep. 119
Board Shorts Podcast
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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The Board Member's Mindset Shift: From Executive to Director | Ep. 118
Board Shorts Podcast
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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Aligning Governance and Management Q&A with Giselle McLachlan and Fiona McKenzie | Ep. 117
Board Shorts Podcast
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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Preparing for Life as a Board Member with Dr Keith Dorsey | Ep. 116
Board Shorts Podcast
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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From Invisible to Influential with Carol Kaemmerer | Ep. 115
Board Shorts Podcast
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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Don't Wait for the Ad: Your Strategic Board Resume in Action | Ep. 114
Board Shorts Podcast
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_outlineWatermark Search International – an executive and Board search firm – recently released their (somewhat) annual Board Diversity Index. 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 diversity (when is the best time to pursue a listed company Board role?).
To dive deeper into the topics covered today, here are some links to explore:
- Watermark Search International 2025 Board Diversity Index
- Break into the Boardroom (online course)
- Episode 103: Understanding Your Board Value Proposition
- Episode 113: Telling Your Board Story through Your Board Resume
Thank you to Watermark Search International for providing additional survey data beyond the published index.
If you have a question or a topic that you’d like covered in a future episode, please fill out this short online survey.