3 Things Actualised From Learning Something I Thought I Already Knew!!
In November 2018 I was invited by the AICD Graduation to speak to the new Graduates about my experience completing the Company Director’s Course. To be honest, before completing the course, I didn’t think it was something that was relevant to me. After all, I am the Founder and Principal of an award winning New-Law corporate and commercial firm. I serve on the South Australian Government’s Education Standards Board, am an Expert in Residence with the University of Adelaide’s ThincLab, and am the Chair of the Catalyst Foundation’s Board, it’s an organisation that works on behalf of older, vulnerable people and people with a disability.
Over the past few years I had been told by a number of directors that the Company Director’s Course (CDC) was a GAME CHANGER! Kate Thiele an AICD Fellow and also a fellow Telstra Business Woman of the year told me she could tell who around the Board table had done the course! So, despite the fact that I had written 2 books about governance, I was curious to understand what I could learn from doing the course.
I completed the CDC over a five-day intensive period at Byron Bay during the school holidays. I took along my husband, Dave and children (who were 3 and 5 at the time). It was an ideal location, and I highly recommend it to those looking to complete the CDC.
So, a year after graduating how has it impacted on my director career and was it worth it?
Impact 1: GIVING
I noticed that many people who complete the CDC have a strong focus on giving, and it can be really exciting when you get on a not for profit board for the first time, or the second time, or even the third time! I have learned that having a director career requires support from the people around you, so speaking to them about the difference you want to make in the world is really important. For me – it is my husband Dave and my kids & often my parents as well because when Dave is travelling I need them to help out if I have out of hours commitments with my Boards. There are a lot of commitments outside of my usual routine and I have found that it is important that the people around you understand that from your giving, you are also gaining skills that will be transferrable.
Impact 2: LEARN AND GROW
In addition to consolidating much of what I already knew, the CDC course enhanced my learning in areas I was less confident about, and provided me with some practical ideas I was able to immediately implement in the boardroom. The most exciting part for me about learning is implementing what I learn into my life. As the Chair of the Catalyst Foundation, our first meeting after I completed the course, we started a board self-assessment session at the end of each meeting, which we continue to get great value from each meeting.
An unexpected outcome of the Course, was the bond that was created between the participants and also being a part of the incredible community created by the AICD. It has provided me with an ongoing opportunity to learn from those who have gone before me, and in turn to share my knowledge with those who follow.
Effective boards, and in turn board members, are those who continue to learn and grow, who engage with their partners, their peers, and their organisation and use every resource within their community to support their goals.
Impact 3: SUCCESS AND FAILURE
This year I have become aware that success and failure live next door to each other. The difference between success and failure is often a decision or a series of decisions – or more precisely the outcome of decisions which boards may not have complete control over. In a board context that can be amplified because decisions are made as a team, and the way that decisions are made are confidential.
In the past few years I have realised that people always reach out to others when they are in the throes of success. As a result, I have now made it a practice to reach out at other times, when it’s clear people will not be having a good day (I may know that from something that has appeared in the newspaper, on social media or through my network). Absolutely everyone will experience a bad day in the office, a decision that has unexpected consequences, conflict, frustration or failure. I cannot stress it enough - reach out to your neighbour after a tough day and borrow a cup of sugar to get you through the slump.
In life, you can never know too much about anything and if you continue to apply your learnings, strive for growth, give what you can and even occasionally borrow some sugar from your neighbour, success will inevitably follow.
