Boardroom Dynamics

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Syllabus

1 MAY-AUGUST 2026 Lesson
2 SEPT-DEC 2025 Lesson
3 JAN-APRIL 2026 Lesson
4 1. THE EMERGENCE OF BOARDROOM DYNAMICS IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Lesson
5 1.1 Defining boardroom dynamics Topic
6 1.2 The evolving focus on corporate governance Topic
7 1.3 The three phases of board evolution Topic
8 1.3.1 Ceremonial board Topic
9 1.3.2 Liberated board Topic
10 1.3.3 Progressive board Topic
11 1.4 Building blocks of a progressive board Topic
12 1.4.1 Group dynamics Topic
13 1.4.2 Information Architecture Topic
14 1.4.3 Focus on substantive issues Topic
15 1.5 Impact of boardroom dynamics on organisational performance Topic
16 1.6 Interest in human factors (human resources, management of talent, organisational culture, politics etc.) Topic
17 1.7 Shifts in approaches to leadership Topic
18 1.8 Focus on ethics Topic
19 1.9 A broader model for corporate governance Topic
20 1.10 Organisational failures and impacts on boardroom dynamics Topic
21 1.11 Role of the corporate secretary in Board room dynamics Topic
22 2. EVOLUTION OF CODES OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Lesson
23 2.1 Evolution of codes – global trends Topic
24 2.2 Incorporation of boardroom dynamics in codes of corporate governance Topic
25 2.3 Impact of codes of governance on board culture, behaviors and effectiveness Topic
26 2.4 Evaluating human capital Topic
27 2.5 Self-regulation in corporate governance Topic
28 3. GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES Lesson
29 3.1 Governance theories related to board structure Topic
30 3.2 Board Structures: Unitary and two tier Boards Topic
31 3.3 Components of governance structures Topic
32 3.4 Board size Topic
33 3.5 Committee structure Topic
34 3.6 Director considerations Topic
35 3.7 Best practices when creating and implementing governance structures Topic
36 3.8 Evaluating governance structures in organisations Topic
37 4. SKILLS, COMPETENCIES AND DIVERSITY OF THE BOARD Lesson
38 4.1 Human capital aspects of the board Topic
39 4.1.1 Director competencies Topic
40 4.1.2 Director skills and experience Topic
41 4.1.3 Evaluating individual board members Topic
42 4.2 Personal characteristics of the board. Topic
43 4.3 Defining and understanding the measuring of diversity Topic
44 4.4 Types of diversity Topic
45 4.5 Areas of diversity and their relationship to boards Topic
46 4.6 Diversity thinking in a boardroom setting Topic
47 5. UNDERSTANDING BOARDROOM DYNAMICS Lesson
48 5.1 Psychology of the board Topic
49 5.1.1 The importance of board dynamics relative to board structure, demographics and attributes. Topic
50 5.1.2 Psychological theories underpinning board dynamics Topic
51 5.1.3 Characteristics of boards and board meetings Topic
52 5.1.4 Board team processes Topic
53 5.1.5 Board team outcomes Topic
54 5.2 Individual and team resilience Topic
55 5.3 Well- being and resilience of the board Topic
56 5.4 Developing behavioral agility Topic
57 6. BOARD DECISION MAKING Lesson
58 6.1 Decision making as a core competence of a board Topic
59 6.2 Evidence-based decision making Topic
60 6.3 Cognitive bias Topic
61 6.4 Individual differences in relation to decision making Topic
62 6.5 Decision making tools Topic
63 6.6 Board team decision making: Key factors and tools Topic
64 7. STAKEHOLDER CONVERSATIONS Lesson
65 7.1 Developing dialogue over debate Topic
66 7.2 Building trust through adult/adult conversations Topic
67 7.3 The systems inside the board Topic
68 7.4 The systems outside the board Topic
69 7.5 Emotional intelligence as a core board competence Topic
70 7.6 Managing conflict Topic
71 7.7 Stakeholder communication Topic
72 8. CULTURE IN THE BOARDROOM Lesson
73 8.1 Governance and culture Topic
74 8.2 Defining board culture Topic
75 8.3 Board culture dynamics Topic
76 8.4 Application of Schein’s Three Levels of Culture model Topic
77 8.5 Company culture Topic
78 8.6 Country culture – Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Topic
79 9. BOARD DIVERSITY Lesson
80 9.1 Understanding diversity Topic
81 9.2 Types of Diversity Topic
82 9.3 Influences of board diversity (culture, law) Topic
83 9.4 Promoting diversity within the board Topic
84 10. THE EFFECT OF MEETING DESIGN ON BOARDROOM DYNAMICS Lesson
85 10.1 Introduction to meeting design Topic
86 10.2 Design of board meetings Topic
87 10.3 Physical characteristics Topic
88 10.4 Attendee characteristics Topic
89 10.5 Trends in technology Topic
90 10.6 Use of virtual boards for remote teams Topic
91 10.7 Face-to-face versus virtual/audio interaction Topic
92 11. THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONAL IN INFLUENCING THE BOARDROOM DYNAMICS Lesson
93 11.1 The 21st Century governance professional Topic
94 11.2 The strategic role of the corporate secretary Topic
95 11.3 Application of theory Topic
96 11.4 Influencing dynamics in a positive way Topic
97 11.5 Leadership influence Topic
98 11.6 Ethical dilemmas Topic
99 12. EFFECTIVE TALENT MANAGEMENT Lesson
100 12.1 Board talent management overview Topic
101 12.2 Skills and competencies of board members Topic
102 12.3 Recruitment of board members Topic
103 12.4 Introduction of board members Topic
104 12.5 Board learning and development Topic
105 12.6 Performance management of board members Topic
106 12.7 The role of the corporate secretary/ governance professional in effective talent management Topic
107 12.8 Ethical dilemmas in relation to managing talent Topic
108 13. BOARD EVALUATION Lesson
109 13.1 Methods and processes options of board evaluation Topic
110 13.2 Evaluating director personal characteristics Topic
111 13.3 Evaluating board dynamics Topic
112 13.4 The corporate secretary as a board consultant Topic
113 14. POWER AND POLITICS IN ORGANISATIONS Lesson
114 14.1 The art and science of power in organisations Topic
115 14.2 Sources of power in organisations Topic
116 14.3 Power and influence Topic
117 14.4 Managing change through power Topic
118 14.5 Leading with power Topic
119 15. CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND CASE STUDIES IN BOARDROOM DYNAMICS Lesson
120 Sample reading and reference material Lesson