Boardroom Brilliance: 5 Ways to Shine in Front of Directors

Board interactions are highly visible moments.  Whether you’re polishing a deck or taking the floor in the boardroom, you’re not just sharing updates—you’re showcasing your leadership. A recent PwC piece highlights five smart ways to elevate those moments and inspire confidence from directors.

1. Invest in Relationships: You may only see directors a few times a year, but strong connections are built in between the formal touchpoints.
   •  A quick pre-meeting with the committee chair helps you understand what’s top of mind and shows you’re proactive.
   • Demonstrate your alignment with other senior leaders to underline that you’re a team player who can be trusted.
   • Ask for feedback on how to improve your presentation style.
     
     
2. Know your Audience: Board cultures aren’t one-size-fits-all.
   • Do your homework on each director—their background, the other boards they sit on, their style. Then adapt.
   •  If the group is action-oriented, skip the background information and get to your recommendations. The more you tailor your message, the more it resonates.
     
     
3. Pre-Reads are Not Presentations: Use pre-reads to set the stage, and focus the discussion on building upon the important messages directors need to know.
   • Put pre-reads into context by tying your messages to strategy without restating the pre-read.
   • Conclude with a clear “ask” so directors know where you need their input.
     
     
4. Run the Show but Create Space for Dialogue: Make every minute count so lead with what matters most information, lay out 2-3 points for discussion and save time for questions.
   • Plan to speak no more than half of the time allotted so directors can raise concerns.
     
     
5. Keep the Conversation Going: Great board engagement doesn’t end with adjournment.
   • Use committee sessions, workshops, and interim updates to keep directors looped in on evolving risks and critical issues.
   • Continuous touchpoints build trust and show you value their perspective year-round.