Chapter 4 - Psychology of the Board

Question 1

What is the primary role of the Board in an organisation?

Answer 1

1. It is the senior decision-making body
2. that sets tone, values, and governance culture.
3. “The Board is the brain of the business.” – Karl George MBE

Question 2

What are boardroom dynamics?

Answer 2

The behaviours and interactions among Board members — spoken and unspoken — shaped by tone, trust, silence, humour, fear, power, and status.

Question 3

What signals poor Board dynamics?

Answer 3

Groupthink, dominance, silence, “meeting after the meeting”, avoidance of challenge, and lack of trust.

Question 4

What is the IPO model of team effectiveness?

Answer 4

Input–Process–Output:
• Inputs = purpose, structure, values & role clarity
• Processes = communication, listening, dissent, trust
• Outputs = decisions, accountability, strategic direction

Question 5

What are the four dimensions of Board performance according to Dulewicz & Herbert?

Answer 5

1. Vision, mission, values
2. Strategy and structure
3. Behaviour, style and board processes
4. Stakeholder engagement

Question 6

What is psychological safety? Who developed the concept?

Answer 6

A shared belief that one can speak up without risk of punishment or humiliation.

It enables learning, challenge, and trust.

Developed by Amy Edmondson (1999).

AMYGDALA EFFECT - fear response inhibits participation in unsafe environments. When triggered flight, fright, freeze.

Question 7

What can the Chair and CoSec do to improve psychological safety?

Answer 7

Board room best practices include;

1.Observe who speaks and who is silent;
2.design inclusive agendas;
3.encourage reflection and mentoring.
4.follow up outside meetings;

Fode

Question 8

What is the role of reflection in the Boardroom?

Answer 8

Reflecting on what worked and what didn’t improves group learning. Tools include feedback, coaching, mentoring, and evaluation.

Question 9

How can boards support quieter or underrepresented voices?

Answer 9

Use peer coaching, onboarding, mentoring, and rotate speakers to create equal airtime.

Question 10

What is the Chapter 4 memory aid?

Answer 10

TEAM BRAIN:
Tone from the top
Edmondson’s safety
Amygdala effect
Meeting dynamics
Behavioural norms
Reflection - ipo model, coaching mentoring and evaluation
Authority & alliances
IPO model
Named frameworks - Dulewicz and Herbert, Edmondson, IPO