The board should comprise diverse members: Traditionally, board members are selected by referral from other board members – people they have worked with, of great reputation and credentials. However, to enable richer discussions, diversity of thought and perspective is crucial. This provides unbiased views that help the board make more well-informed decisions. This is only possible, if the selection process breaks away from traditional databases or common names doing the rounds.

The board should be proactive and regular: A board should comprise of members who can freely give both their expertise and time to the company. They must be accessible over and above scheduled meeting hours. This is particularly true for startups that need more help with decision-making and crisis management in the early days. Additionally, board members should be vigilant and challenge governance issues, as well as help organisations create sustainable practices.

The board should have vision and dynamism: Good leadership is always about vision - foreseeing change, and getting ready to act on it. Good boards thus comprise of leaders capable of change management and who can navigate the company in the right direction. This can be done when board members participate in policy making, support organisational growth, and become active ambassadors of the company, ever-willing to lend their expertise or dip into their networks.

The board ultimately comprises brand ambassadors: Board members are not just focused on effective governance of an organisation, but also represent its best interests internally and externally. Hence, board members need to be selected after matching their capabilities, values, and work ethic with those of the organisation.