Question

Share your thoughts on the following in approximately 250 words (not over 300): From a strategic standpoint, why shoild a board of directors not be all male, or all female, or all whites, or all minorities? Be sure to provide strategic rather than emotional reasons.

Answer 1

The board of directors holds a very important place in an organisation. They are skilled and seasoned professionals and subject matter experts of different fields, helping to steer the organisation through a number of different situations and ensure its growth with their common capabilities. The board needs to have strategic planning skills, subject matter expertise and technical knowhow on one hand, and openness, broad vision, humane attitude and empathy on the other hand. In this way, the board must be as diverse as possible. Each ethnic, racial and religious group has its own beliefs, attitudes, viewpoints and ideas, which collectively bring diversity to the group, and enhance its ability to take decisions which are in interests of all. Gender also plays an important role in decision making. Most men are believed to be task oriented, strategic thinkers and tough in stance, while most women are considered to be more sympathetic, considerate, empathetical and compassionate than their male counterparts ( though exceptions are always there and will be).

Therefore, in order to achieve a fine balance of skills and traits related to strategic planning, taking tough decisions while still considering and safeguarding the interests of all, as well as being compassionate and concerned to all stakeholders, it is essential to have a balanced representation of minorities, races, gender and ethnicity. Dominance of any one group will disturb this fine balance, whichn is not good for the long term interests of the organisation.