The Chair plays a critical role in shaping how a board operates. Beyond managing meetings or overseeing agendas, the Chair sets the tone for decision-making, builds trust among board members and executives, and steers the board toward meaningful outcomes. This is a leadership role that carries both responsibility and influence.
Being a good facilitator is no longer enough. The most effective Chairs go further. They create an environment where rigorous debate, strategic clarity, and collective accountability can thrive, all while maintaining momentum. This article explores what distinguishes high-impact Chairs from the rest and why their leadership style matters so much for board success.
Shaping Focus (More Than Just Managing Time)
A strong Chair does more than keep the clock. They actively shape the board’s focus and priorities. This begins with the agenda but extends into how time and attention are allocated throughout the meeting.
High-impact Chairs know how to:
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Prioritise conversations that move the organisation forward. They steer discussions toward strategic issues and avoid getting bogged down in operational detail.
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Balance retrospective reporting with forward-looking insight. While updates are important, they should not dominate the meeting.
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Identify when a topic deserves more attention and when it is time to move on. This ensures the board’s energy is used effectively.
By deliberately managing what gets airtime, Chairs signal what the board values most. They help the group avoid the trap of surface-level discussion and focus instead on what will truly make a difference.
Creating Space for Challenge
Healthy boards thrive on challenge, but challenge does not happen by chance. It depends heavily on leadership, and particularly on the Chair’s style.
Chairs who foster effective challenge tend to:
- Model curiosity and openness. They ask open-ended questions and demonstrate genuine interest in different viewpoints.
- Encourage participation from all members. They notice who is quiet and invite their contributions without forcing.
- Resist rushing toward easy consensus. They allow the board to wrestle with tough issues in order to reach well-founded conclusions.
At the same time, effective Chairs know when to intervene to prevent unproductive debates or conversations that go off track. Their role is to balance open dialogue with disciplined decision-making.
Building Trust and Relationships
Leadership is not only about meetings and agendas. It is also about relationships. The Chair must build and maintain trust across the boardroom and with the executive team.
The most effective Chairs are:
- Consistently prepared and fully engaged. Their commitment encourages others to show up with the same level of focus.
- Dependable and follow through on commitments. This reinforces confidence in the Chair’s leadership.
- Skilled at providing support and challenge in balance. They know when to step up and when to step back.
This trust extends beyond the boardroom to the Chair’s relationship with the CEO. It requires a careful balance – enough closeness to ensure alignment, but clear boundaries to preserve independent oversight. Maintaining this balance is one of the more delicate and important aspects of Chair leadership.
The hallmark of effective Chair leadership is judgment – knowing what the board needs in any given moment and responding accordingly.
The Myth of the “Light Touch” Chair
There is a common perception that the best Chairs lead quietly from the background, exerting influence without overt presence. While it is true that humility and subtlety can be powerful, this idea can be misleading.
High-impact Chairs are not afraid to step in when the situation calls for it. They know when to:
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Bring clarity to confusing discussions
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Name blocking behaviours that stall progress
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Call time on circular debates
Equally important, they know when to remain silent and let others take the lead. The hallmark of effective Chair leadership is judgment – knowing what the board needs in any given moment and responding accordingly.
What This Means for Boards and Aspiring Chairs
For board members, reflecting on how the Chair’s leadership style impacts the board is vital. A Chair who can create focus, foster challenge, and build trust will often unlock better board performance and stronger decisions.
For those preparing to take on a Chair role, the path is about developing your own leadership approach. It requires self-awareness, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the board’s and organisation’s needs.
Ask yourself – what conditions do I want to create around the table? How can I help the board think more clearly, challenge more constructively, and act more decisively?
Great Chairs do not simply manage meetings. They create the conditions for the board to consistently do its best work, with confidence, clarity, and impact.
Looking to Strengthen Your Chairing Style?
Leading a board is about more than process, it’s about creating the conditions for challenge, clarity, and high-quality decisions. If you’re stepping into a Chair role or want to enhance your effectiveness as a board leader, personalised mentoring can make a real difference.
Work one-to-one with experienced Chair, NED, and Board Adviser Jeremy Canning to refine your leadership approach and maximise your impact.
