The ideal candidates for your board of directors should be people who are committed to the purpose of the organization and willing to invest time. Don’t pick someone just because they’re a relative or acquaintance. The selection process must be thorough. You should verify the background of your candidates, ask for references and conduct a conflict of interest review.

Board members should have prior experience in the field, and be able to apply their expertise to assist the board with making informed decisions. They should be able to think ahead and challenge the status quo. Boards should be balanced; you do not want a board that is over-weighted with visionaries and not enough execution experts.

It’s ideal for the new board member to have http://www.boardmanagementsoft.net experience with a different board, however it’s not always possible. If they don’t have any board experience, you need to think about how many other boards they’re on and what their roles are. A lot of boards can result in burnout or a lack of focus.

One mistake that leaders make is to surround themselves with “yes people.” They only select people who agree with them and do not question their strategies or decisions. This is a risk to investors’ capital, employee livelihoods, and the future of your company. It is important to encourage lively discussions and to bring in fresh perspectives to boost your company’s chances of success.