UNDERSTANDING BOARDROOM DYNAMICS
Psychology of the Board Psychological Theories Underpinning Board Dynamics
1) Psychodynamics Theory
It is a theory that emphasizes the importance of drive and other forces in human functioning, especially unconscious drives.
This theory holds that the childhood experience is the basis for adult personality and relationships.
Assumptions
1. A great deal of mental life is unconscious, meaning people’s thoughts, feelings and motivations are often unknown to them.
2. Individuals may experience conflicting thoughts and feelings towards a person or situation because mental situations occur independently but in parallel.
3. Personality begins to form in early childhood and continues to be influenced childhood experiences into adulthood.
4. People’s social interactions are impacted their mental understanding of themselves, other people and relationships.
5. Personality development includes learning to regulate sexual aggressive drives, as well as growing from a socially dependent to an interdependent state in which one can form and maintain functional intimate relationships.
Strengths
1. It accounts for the impact of childhood on adult personality and mental health.
2. It explores the innate drives that motivate our behavior (internal thinking).
3. It accounts for both sides of nature.
Weaknesses
1. It is too deterministic because it denies that people can exercise free will.
2. It is unscientific and unfalsifiable.
2) Behaviorism Theory
It is states that it is a theory of learning, which states all behaviors are learnt through interaction with the environment through a process called conditioning. Therefore, it is a response to the environmental stimuli. Only concerned with observable stimulus response behaviors.
Assumptions
1. All behavior is learned from the environment.
2. Psychology should be seen as a science. It should be supported empirical data.
3. Behaviorism is primarily concerned with observable behavior as opposed to internal events like thinking and emotion.
4. There is little difference between the learning that takes place in humans and that of animals. There is no qualitative difference between human and animal behavior.
5. Behavior is the result of stimulus response.
Strengths
1. It provides clear predictions because the explanations can be scientifically tested and supported with evidence.
2. Real life applications.
3. Emphasizes objective measurement.
4. There are many experiments that support the theory.
Weaknesses
1. It ignores the mediation process.
2. It ignores their biology, e.g. testosterone, where the aspect of humans is the same as the animals and that internal events are not considered.
3. Too deterministic.
4. Low ecological validity- experimentation.
5. Humanism.
3) Cognitivism Theory
It is majorly concerned with mindset.
It is the framework for understanding the mind that gained credence in the 1950s.
Information-processing psychology derived in part from earlier investigations of thought and problem solving.
The way people think impacts their behavior, and therefore cannot be a behavior in and of itself.
Therefore, thinking is so essential to psychology that the study of thinking should become its own field.
Thinking aspect- how do you behave?
4) Humanistic Psychology
It is the theory that is grounded on the belief that people are innately good.
It also holds that morality, ethical values and good intentions are the driving forces of behavior, while adverse, social or psychological experiences can be attributed to deviations from natural tendencies.
Assumptions
1. Experiencing is central. The way you think, sense, perceive, feel and remember.
2. The subjective experience of the individual is the primary indicator of behavior.
3. An accurate understanding of human behavior cannot be achieved studying animals.
(It tries to mitigate the harshness of behaviorism theory)
4. Free will exists, and individuals should take personal responsibility for self-growth and fulfillment. Not all behavior is determined.
5. Self-actualization (the need for a person to reach maximum potential) is natural.
6. People are inherently good and will experience growth if provided with suitable conditions, especially during childhood.
7. Each person and each experience is unique, so psychologists should treat each case individually, rather than rely on averages from group studies.
Humanism’s Contributions to Psychology/Advantages
1. It led to the development of the hierarchy of needs. One wants to achieve maximum potential.
2. Person-centered therapy.
3. Unconditional positive regard.
4. Free will.
5. Self-concept.
Limitations
1. There is lack of effectiveness in treating severe mental health issues and the generalizations made about human nature.
2. Humanism’s reliance on the subjective experience of individuals may make it difficult to objectively measure, record and study humanistic variables and features.
3. It focuses exclusively on free will and the conscious mind, but research shows the unconscious mind plays a significant role in human psychology.
Characteristics of Boards and Board Meetings
Characteristics of an Effective Board of Directors
1. To remain consistently dedicated to refining and fulfilling the mission.
2. Develop and adhere to a clear and engaging board selection, recruitment and orientation process.
3. Organize responsibilities, set goals and measure the performance of the board as a whole and its individual members.
4. Define and execute the processes and expectations for hiring, evaluating and compensating the CEO.
5. Understand and act with the belief and knowledge that the board governs while the staff manages and these are separate, yet fully aligned functions.
6. Build a leadership pipeline for board officer positions and offer mentoring/training and other supports for to enhance the success of all board members.
7. Create a cycle of respect, trust and candor among all members and an environment where generative questions are welcomed.
8. Act as an ambassador for the organization and its ‘work’ while upholding the duties of care, loyalty and confidence.
9. Actively build relationships with individuals outside the organization that advance the organization’s overall mission, vision and constituents.
10. Embrace change while being willing to take risks that can lead to rewards.
Features of an Effective Board Meeting
• Have a purpose
The reason for organizing a board meeting, i.e. make decisions, borrowing capital, solve problems, recommending dividends, make plans, evaluation, remove a director, etc.
• Provide enough notice and appropriate materials for members to be prepared
*How can a board member be effectively prepared?
a) Adequate notice to be provided to members in a format previously agreed upon.
b) Copies of all documents needed be availed to members prior to the meeting.
c) The facilities space is booked or confirmed with any equipment that may be needed for the meeting.
d) Arrangements for food and refreshments are confirmed, if applicable.
e) Special guests have been confirmed.
• Be chaired effectively
• Follow proper meeting procedures and respect the time of board members
• Have clear supporting documents such as an agenda, minutes and other reports
• Ensure all participants have a voice and are respected
• Ensure there is a networking session
• Accomplish results or have action items
• There be a recording in form of minutes
*How to ensure effective participation in meetings