Boardroom Hustle

How easy is it to up the impact and influence in your board role?  In this episode, Paul is joined by upcoming Future Directors Faculty Member, former-NACD President, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and talented human of other governance things Erin Essenmacher. Together we look at how positive psychology can help you navigate common but tricky human dynamics in the boardroom. We explore how to leverage your strengths to foster a more positive and influential boardroom culture.  NOTE: This is a recording of one of our Directors Circle sessions that we put on live for our Future Directors members (see link to join below). The sound quality is not our usual. Also in this episode: Learn how to identify and leverage your strengths for greater impact and influence. Understand how to navigate and manage complex boardroom dynamics. Develop strategies to enhance collaboration and move towards a stronger, more inclusive leadership group.   Links: Connect With Erin Essenmacher: LinkedIn  Join the Future Di

Many people think you have to be an accountant or finance professional to sit on a board. Nope! But, you do need to know how to navigate financial statements AND, more importantly, ask all the right questions of the numbers...often with a bit of skeptisicm. In this episode, Paul is joined by new Future Directors Faculty Member and sports nut, Dr David Bond. He also teaches this finance stuff to uni students, via his popular YouTube channel, and gets to live and breathe it too inside the multiple boards he serves on. NOTE: This is a recording of one of our Directors Circle sessions that we put on live for our Future Directors members (see link to join below). The sound quality is not our usual. Also in this episode: Learn how to leverage real-time financial data to enhance decision-making. Explore modern approaches to financial governance beyond static board papers. Gain insights on the future of financial literacy for board directors.   Links: Connect With David Bond: YouTube | | LinkedIn  Join the Future D

What a coup! Famed author Bob Burg joins Paul for a rare podcast interview.  Bob Burg is a world-renowned author who has sold over 2 million books. In this episode, Bob shared the timeless principles behind this influential work, The Go-Giver (co-authored with John David Mann) and explained why shifting your focus from GETTING to GIVING can transform your business (and your board) and also your life. Together, we also explored the profound idea of "providing immense value to others" and how this mindset leads to better board performance. Also in this episode: The foundational principles of The Go-Giver and why it's more relevant than ever. How focusing on value creation builds trust in any organisation. The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success and how apply in the boardroom. Shifting from a transactional mindset to a relationship approach in governance. Best quote from Bob: "To rationalize is to tell ourselves 'rational lies,' creating a justification for something we know deep down may not be right."   Links

We love a good crossover episode! In late 2024, your host Paul Smith featured on The Jasper Blueprint podcast with Bessi Graham. It was so relevant for Future Directors' listener...that we decided to add it to our episode list. In this episode, Bessi and I explore governance as a competitive edge in small to medium-sized businesses. Focusing on future-fit boards that manage responsibilities across ALL stakeholders, our conversation went beyond the traditional view of governance as mere compliance.  The episode highlights the pivotal role governance plays in decision-making, particularly in privately-owned businesses where it is often overlooked.  Also in this episode:  Effective governance includes diversity of thought, curiosity, and ongoing education for all involved participants in board settings. Stakeholder mapping reveals overlooked perspectives that significantly influences decision-making and strategic direction. Emphasising fit-for-purpose governance structures significantly improves the functionali

NEW SEASON TIME! I hope you all enjoyed the Future Boards Forum 2024 episode. That essentially acts as a break in my mercurial podcast. Now, I mix things up again. I can be like a magpie and shiny objects! This season will be ALL interviews with cool people talking about corporate (and board) governance topics that don't get as much air time.  First up, the founder and MD of The Governance Collective, Lisa Coletta. She is obsessed with systems, frameworks and human nature's impact of board dynamics. She's also an expert in the critical administrative and strategic role of the Company Secretary.  Enjoy this, and the rest of the new season! Links: Join Future Directors for FREE (also access Lisa's exclusive courses) Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Follow and Connect with Lisa (LinkedIn) Check out The Governance Collective

What are the Governance Trends for year ahead? In this special episode, we bring you the highlights from the Future Boards Forum (held in December 2024), where I was joined by a panel of governance geeks to explore the biggest trends shaping board governance for the next 12 months. It's a bit of a longer episode (and sorry about the sound quality), but stick with it and you'll hear insights on emerging challenges, innovative solutions, and the evolving role of boards in navigating an uncertain world. Topics include: The intersection of AI and governance Fostering stakeholder trust Building resilient board cultures. Tune in to hear from Erin Essenmacher (former Head of Strategy at the NACD), Lisa Coletta (MD of The Governance Collective) and my old mate Matt Fullbrook (the one trying to redefine corporate governance). Links Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn)

In my last episode before a brand new (very special) season kicks off, I literally sit down and riff with my Governance Geek friend Matt Fullbrook to chat about good people and good governance. This short episode was totally unplanned. We were working in his Brisbane AirBnB during our recent "Experimental Mindsets Tour" of Australia in October 2024. More on that next year. For now...judge for yourself whether people make a difference. Enjoy! Links Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Matt's OMG Podcast

Much of board education likes to zero in on technical knowledge—keeping up with regulatory updates, sharpening financial skills, risk management, and staying on top of industry trends.  These are crucial, no doubt. But they're only one part of the picture. The often overlooked part is the necessary human skills...and for me, the real heart of what makes a board effective. So, here's another little short podcast which describes the harmonic balance that any good boardroom needs... Have a listen and see what you think.  Podcast links Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn)  

Commentary on corporate governance commonly focuses on what is wrong or missing. The mistakes, the downfalls, the ‘bad stuff’. Admittedly, I'm not immune to this.  With the world seemingly in increasing turmoil - divisive politics, endless wars, clashing ideologies… and just trying to keep up with the cost of living - it would be easy to keep focusing on the negative. So, here's a little short podcast from me which brings a bit of love and positivity into the world of the boardroom. Have a listen and see what you think.  Podcast links Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn)

Diving into the heart of what makes or breaks the boardroom is not just a pastime for me—it's a mission. Some time ago, a few of my fellow future-focused enthusiasts and I went down a rabbit hole to talk about the most unpopular governance opinions. I thought I would reflect on and summarise the themes in the podcast. Please note. Not all of these are mine, but I fully support how unpopular they might be :) Have a listen and see what you think.  Podcast links Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn)

A poorly executed board recruitment strategy can be the silent saboteur of a board’s success. Quality board recruitment processes are the cornerstone that ensures the right mix of expertise, experience and vision exists to govern with confidence. Unlike executive recruitment, it’s also a process that most boards only engage in occasionally, so boards need a robust and repeatable process embedded in their culture.  This episode features a recent conversation between Paul and Tom Mutch, Partner, Board & Public Sector Practice at leading international recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson.  Their chat deep dives into board recruitment, succession planning, candidate assessments, and the pivotal role of nomination committees....and might also feature some references to British humour. Sorry! Some links: Tom's written interview with Future Directors Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Check out Tom and Odgers Berndtson      

What type or style of board member are you? Are you the Stakeholder Champion, Data Chaser, Status Hound, Unprepared, or even the Narcissist? These are the types identified in a recent article from Harvard Business Review, and in another bite-sized episode from Paul, he gives you a few more to play with. Then, Paul asks how can we harmonise so many different people into an effective team or board? Have a listen and see what you think.  Podcast links Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn)

Yes, 100 episodes!  Wow. Almost 70 hours worth of conversation about boards, directors, technology, diversity, education, careers, challenges and more. It's been a blast.  To welcome us into the next century, you have a new host, Matt Fullbrook. Amongst his claims to fame he's the single most repeated guest on Paul's podcast and one of the few others governance podcasts to hit 100 episodes. In this episode, the tables are turned and Matt interviews Paul about his journey. And, it gets super embarrassing for Paul... Some links: Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Matt Fullbrook's podcast Matt Fullbrook's website

As we near our ONE-HUNDREDTH episode, Paul shares his favourite episode of all time. It also happens to be one of the most downloaded episodes in the podcast's history.  Featuring repeat offender Matt Fullbrook, alongside younger directors Nurain Janah and Hannah Stenning, this replay of Ep57 dives into why we need intergenerational diversity in the boardroom. This is the first part of an eventual two-parter, so feel free to drop back to Ep58 straight afterwards. See you next time for EPISODE 100! Some links: Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Nurain Janah's website Hannah Stenning on LinkedIn Matt Fullbrook's podcast Matt Fullbrook's website

Hello, fellow governance geeks, director dorks and boardroom boffins! This special technological episode features your host Paul Smith - founder of Future Directors - chatting with the hugely popular Generative AI tool, ChatGPT 4.0. Having crowdsourced some questions from his network, Paul ask Chat questions, follow-up questions, agrees to disagree and more with a voice-enabled version of the revolutionary tech.  Learn what ChatGPT says about governance, diversity, decision-making and more Learn how boards can use tools like this to support critical thinking and decisions Hear how it copes with some real-world boardroom scenarios (Please do note that this episode was recorded in February 2024. Technology moves fast, so who knows what it will be capable of when you listen). Some links: Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Image generated by DALL-E (actually by Matt Fullbrook - yes, him again!)

In this episode, Paul takes a backseat to his colleague Aisling Blackmore who recorded this webinar with William Rae and Elaine Crichton from Inspiring Scotland in late 2023.  (Please note, there were some sound issues during this recording) Inspiring Scotland is a UK-based charity that identifies and solves problems on a national scale, working together for a Scotland without poverty or disadvantage. The episode brings together lived experience leadership, models for inclusive decision-making, and stakeholder-focused governance. Prepare to challenge conventional thinking by exploring both personal growth and crucial changes within the boardroom environment to foster inclusivity and safety.  William is a board director and Chair who brings lived experience of learning disability. Elaine, from Inspiring Scotland, delivers inclusive governance training.  Here are some links: Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Connect with Aisling Blackmore (LinkedIn) Check out Inspiring Sco

Can you believe we are four episodes away from the Magic 100?!? This is a wonderful in-depth chat between two people obsessed with board governance.  Jess Bulger is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Tumut in NSW, Australia. She is the CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and Co-Chair at Outward Bound Australia. She cares deeply about indigenous leadership, capacity building and seeing communities thrive.  In this wide-ranging conversation between two governance geeks, Paul and Jess cover: The importance of language. Is it First Nations, Indigenous, or Aboriginal? Is Indigenous Governance singular or does it take many forms? What can companies do to engage their indigenous stakeholders better? Here are some links: Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Connect with Jess (LinkedIn) Check out AIGI (Australian Indigenous Governance Institute) 

Are you looking to build a board of directors from scratch or enhance your existing board composition? If so, then this episode is the one for you.  This ep features a recent conversation between Paul and special guests, Rosie and Lucy Thomas from Project Rockit. A few years ago, these two sisters worked with Paul to enhance the board composition of their social enterprise.  The chat dives deep into their thinking, their blindspots, the Future Director's process and how it all came together. We also touch on the lessons learnt and how it's all going in the boardroom. Fascintating stuff! Here's some links: Join Future Directors for FREE Follow and Connect with Paul (LinkedIn) Check out Project Rockit

As we see big brand companies like Qantas and OpenAI go through what we can safely say from the outside is a bit of a ‘governance crisis’, it has brought up the need to be very clear about what is board leadership and why is it different to other leadership roles. In another bite-sized episode of Paul by himself (guests are back soon), he will give you a twist on the usual elephantish analogy. SPOILER ALERT. Elephants are excellent swimmers.  But, what has this got to do with the Modern Board Leader? You'll have to listen to find out...

In a world of ever-evolving organisational governance, where boards serve as the nerve centre of decision-making and strategy, it is surprising how often the simple question of PURPOSE remains unanswered. Boards of directors, entrusted with steering companies through complex waters, frequently grapple with their roles, often searching for their true north. In this short episode, Paul is back to help deconstruct why boards need a unifying force that guides them, in alignment with the company’s values and long-term vision.