Time for women to position themselves for board seats

BoardroomTalk

Dr Proctor Nyemba

AS we celebrate International Women’s Day this month, I am uplifted by the growing number of efforts towards the gender equality and diversity movement around the world.

When it comes to corporate boards, however, the momentum behind these efforts has been of little match to the formidable inertia that encompasses the board recruiting process.

I would, therefore, like to suggest that institutions such as the Women Corporate Directors Network Zimbabwe play a key role in recommending experienced female candidates to the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development and other relevant institutions to sit on boards. This will promote board diversity by ensuring that women are drawn from across different sectors and possess critical skills, including project management, public relations and communications, supply chain and logistics, human resources, cyber security, enterprise risk, sustainability and governance.

Here are my top five tips to help you position yourself to get a seat at today’s boardroom table:

1. Build your profile, establish your brand and keep focus.

Mindfully and purposefully identify your passion. In today’s world, time is our most valuable commodity, especially as we balance home and career responsibilities. We cannot be passionate about everything. Focus on what lights you up and has meaning to you.

Ensure your online and in-person persona align. When you post something on social media or are asked to participate in speaking engagements, be purposeful and ensure it relates to your passion, the industry you are targeting or your key priorities. If you are not asked to speak, volunteer! Step out of your comfort zone and ask to be on panels within your community or workplace.

2. Grow your network by supporting others.

Find ways to help and support others (ask if you need to). Helping others is one of the best ways to establish connections, meet new people and create a good, reliable reputation for yourself.

Be intentional by introducing yourself to others and attend virtual or in-person events where there are key attendees you want to meet. In virtual spaces, just as in real life, you do not need to dominate chat rooms. Instead, have a meaningful presence, listen actively and support others (think quality over quantity).

Identify key contacts by learning who the influencers are on the board(s) you are targeting. If you are able, find out what they are passionate about and use this knowledge when you meet them to engage in conversations of interest to them. If you can, find and share common interests.

3. Get involved in your community.

Volunteer your time and expertise, particularly to organisations that align to your passion, and where key influencers will be in attendance.

Attend local virtual and in-person events and be visible in your own authentic way. You do not have to be the person who “works the room” to be visible. Meet the people at your table, in break-out virtual rooms and establish one or two meaningful connections. Find out what others are passionate about and seek ways to help or support them first without any expectation in return.

Stay connected by mailing personal thank you or holiday cards when you have worked with someone in the community, or you have received assistance or support from others. If you hear of another’s accomplishments, send a hand-written congratulations card to recognise them. I mail 2-3 hand-written cards weekly to staff, colleagues, community members and sometimes to people I have never met who impress me. Pro-tip: Keep a list of who and when you send cards and card’s sentiment to ensure you are not sending multiple cards to the same person (whoops, I have done it!).

4. Invest in your own learning.

Take courses or self-study good governance, learn the different governance models and be ready to answer questions on good governance during board interviews.

Attend public board meetings and/or read the previous agendas and meeting minutes, particularly if there is a board you would like to learn more about or apply to.

Always read the organisation’s strategic plan and priorities, annual report and most recent news articles. Engage a recruiter and join a forum or community, such as the Women Corporate Directors Network Zimbabwe, Women in HR Management, Women in Public Relations and Communication Zimbabwe, Women in Supply Chain Management, Women in Project Management, Women of Influence, Women Get on Board, Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe, or Next Gen Board Leaders.

5. Be a mentor.

Be a mentor to support and lift others. Offer growth opportunities for those you mentor, introduce them to your contacts and grow their network;

Recognise exceptional contributions, celebrate the wins of others and nominate people for awards — without asking or expecting anything in return.

By supporting others, your network will also grow, and you will continue to learn (and because it just feels so good to do!).

Recognise it takes time. Be strategic and patient. Do not give up. Getting on a board is a journey and through giving and purposeful interactions, you will position yourself for success.

Dr Proctor Nyemba is a certified professional director specialising in governance and strategy, governance and risk, governance and people, governance and board effectiveness, governance and resources, as well as governance culture and behaviour. For comments and feedback, please send to [email protected] or [email protected]; Call 0772469893