Episode 07: Encouraging Creative and Dynamic Thinking in the Boardroom with Anita Muller

Non Executive Director Insider Insights

Boardrooms have been ingrained with conventional perspectives that are often difficult to challenge. This might explain why people in board positions often find themselves in comfortable, yet critically complacent situations.

How can you recognise and break away from these limitations and biases and move beyond the traditional boardroom boundary?

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Anita Muller, who at the time of the recording was running her consultancy business Running Tall, and sitting on the board at Matthews Steer Accountancy and Advisory.

Anna firmly believes that modern-day board roles need to take a leap forward to achieve effective board leadership by encouraging creative and dynamic thinking in the boardroom.

Being too comfortable has historically been a defining factor for big businesses who have failed. Reigning supreme just sets you up in the headlights of fast-moving up-and-coming competition. Think Kodak. Think Blockbuster. Think Nokia. Tension is needed to inspire creativity and innovation in organisations, to protect businesses failing from a false sense of security.

In order for the board to harness different ways of thinking, it must first acknowledging the value of creative input from others. This breeds diversity and inclusion which results in openness to new possibilities and better information on which to base decisions.

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The changes in modern board leadership
• Why complacency stifles growth
• How to encourage progressive thinking on the board
• The role of feedback in the boardroom

A board director is responsible for creating value, and this often requires thinking outside the traditional box and encouraging others to be open to potential changes.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on The Five-Point Challenge of Board Roles with Robin Buckham, check out Episode 06.