DirectorsandBoardsReboot Partner Cathy Allen was featured in a recent article in Directors and Boards Magazine sharing her wisdom on how to succeed as a women corporate board member- specifically, how to “demystify” the other board members right at the beginning of your involvement.  Cathy describes her process:

 “Before I even get to a first meeting, I talk to every single board member as well as the general counsel and the senior executives in the company. I want to know not just how the company operates, but also the politics of the board, so that I’ll have a sense of who people are and how they coalesce. Then, during that first board meeting, it’s best not to say a lot; rather, listen and watch the body language and interactions among directors. By the second meeting, you’re ready to participate because you understand the board on three levels: intellectual (what’s being talked about), emotional (what are the hotspots or issues), and interest (who’s really engaged).”

Read the full article here: Cathy Allen in Directors & Boards Magazine