1. Understand Your Unique Value: Recognize and articulate the unique skills and experiences you bring to the board, focusing on your Unique Selling Point or Board Value Position, whether it is your potential contribution to the Audit Committee or your network of contacts among institutional clients.
  2. Prepare Success Stories: Have three to four examples of your successes ready, ideally aligned with the organization’s desired attributes and the core elements sought by the Chair.
  3. Anticipate Questions: Be ready for questions on your background, governance style, skills, and commercial acumen, research the organization and administrative aspects, and have thoughtful questions.
  4. Express Your Governance Style: Convey how you interact with the board, Chair, and other stakeholders, emphasizing teamwork and risk management.
  5. Demonstrate Skills and Acumen: Show how your executive skills are relevant at the board level, focusing on strategic contributions rather than operational tasks.
  6. Show In-depth Organizational Knowledge: Your research on the organization should reflect in your answers, demonstrating a deep understanding of its challenges and opportunities. Most negative comments from existing Board Members were about candidates who had not done their homework.
  7. Handle Administrative Queries with Foresight: Prepare for questions on remuneration and conflicts of interest, showing awareness of board responsibilities and commitment.
  8. Ask Meaningful Questions: Instead of asking questions for the sake of it, express your deep understanding of the organization and its challenges.