Your organization may have a Board of Directors—but does it have an Associate Board?
An Associate Board is one comprised of your organization’s emerging leaders, usually in their 20s or 30s. Or, it can be a board comprised of emerging leaders who you want to be more involved in your company. As these groups are comprised of the next generation of leaders, their perspectives can be incredibly helpful as you steer your organization into the future.
Here are four reasons to consider creating an Associate Board:
1️⃣ When you have a particular organizational challenge you’re working through—especially as it relates to things like employee retention and engagement, benefits, and other employee-related aspects, getting their viewpoints and thought process on what you’re considering ensures a diversity of voices in the room.
2️⃣ You’re essentially training this board for a heightened level of leadership. Board appointments may very well be in this group’s future, and in asking them to lead on an Associate Board, you’re priming them for the level of decision-making they’ll be responsible for in the future.
3️⃣ Having an Associate Board also gives them perspective—perspective they can share with those they work with. Often, emerging leaders might get perplexed or irritated at the decisions your organization makes. Giving them a front-row seat—and helping them see both sides as well—helps them understand how decisions get made.
4️⃣ This kind of board and the responsibility it calls for helps with employee engagement and retention. When you’re asking for insights and feedback, your emerging leaders will feel appreciated, and that their voice matters in your organization’s decision-making.
Has anyone in my network created an Associate Board? What additional benefits have you seen?
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