Our Research.
Peter has recently completed research as part of a Master of Education at Massey University. The research title: Improving Board Effectiveness Through Learning: An Examination of Learning Interventions for the Performance of Boards. Peter H Allen, 2022.
Board Learning Practices
The board learning practices are what comprise the fifth Practice of Governance above, called Maintaining a Learning Orientation. Our board research shows that a board that employs all the following board learning practices is more likely to experience the transformational learning that boards experience when they embark on continuous learning and development.
A learning and development plan.
A board development coordinator (one board member, the board development "champion" whose responsibility it is to ensure board development keeps happening).
A safe zone that allows for robust discussion and hubris to be challenged.
A development item on the agenda of every board meeting.
An evaluation of every board meeting.
A culture of learning and continuous improvement (embedded in the board and the organization).
A methodology for learning from experience (evaluating the decision methodology used for past large decisions in the light of results).
Seven Practices of Governance
Our research shows that highly effective boards exercise seven common practices. In fact, we believe the performance and strength of a board can be measured by examining the extent to which these practices are evident in the life of a board. We call these the Seven Practices of Governance, and they are as follows:
Acting with a purpose in mind
Planning effective governance meetings
Working collectively
Making sound decisions
Maintaining a learning orientation
Knowing what's going on and what to do about it
Managing risks effectively
