Strategy
Should we do this?
How does the proposal serve the organization’s purpose, and what other choices deserve consideration?
Approach
Work shaped around your board.
The issue on the agenda is only part of the picture. We take time to understand the people, the history, and what you want to be different, then work with you on the questions that need attention.
Understanding the situation
There is usually more to the story.
A disagreement over a policy may reflect a longer history. A proposal that looks straightforward on paper may raise different concerns for the people involved.
We listen to those perspectives and help you work out what would be useful. You do not need a diagnosis or a preferred solution before we talk.
A conversation might explore
- What is happening, and what feels difficult?
- How do the people involved see the situation?
- What have you tried, and what have you learned?
- What would you like to be different?
A useful perspective
Questions that help a board think clearly.
Our SOAR framework brings together strategy, oversight, accountability, and risk. It gives us useful questions to explore with you, with the depth and emphasis the situation needs.
Oversight
Do we understand enough to decide?
What do directors need to know, what is still uncertain, and whose judgment should inform the discussion?
Accountability
Who owns what happens next?
What will the decision mean for the people responsible for carrying it out, and how will the board stay informed?
Risk
What if we’re wrong, or things change?
What could change the judgment, and what would help the organization recognize and respond to it?
Working documents
Make the thinking easier to use.
A clear document can help people prepare for a discussion, remember what was agreed, or put a decision into practice. We use tools like these where they help your board.
Decision Brief
The choice, the alternatives, and the questions directors need to consider.
Decision Record
A clear account of what was decided and what follows from it.
Authority Map
A shared understanding of who decides, who contributes, and who needs to know.
Follow-up Register
A way to keep important commitments and progress in view.
Do we need to know which service we need?
No. Tell us what you are seeing and what you would like to change. We can explore together where Boardpath could be useful.
What does it cost?
Fees depend on the work you need. We will discuss the scope and cost with you and agree on both before work begins.
Can you work with our existing advisers?
Yes. Your counsel and other advisers bring valuable knowledge of your organization. We work with them where it helps, bringing the board’s questions, responsibilities, and working relationships into the discussion.
How long does an engagement take?
That depends on the situation. Some work centers on a particular decision or meeting; other work supports a relationship or change over time. We will discuss timing with you.
Tell us what’s happening with your board.
You may have a specific issue in mind, or a sense that something needs to change. Let’s talk about what you’re seeing and where Boardpath could help.