Boardroom Bound: How to Navigate Your Journey from Executive to Board Director | Leadership Lounge

Today's board directors operate in a complex business landscape, balancing strategic guidance, technological innovation, and heightened governance expectations. They must provide critical leadership while navigating rapid change and increasing stakeholder scrutiny.

So, as an executive, do you have what it takes to thrive in a board role? And how can you maximize your impact once you're there?

In this episode of Leadership Lounge, we talk to some of our trusted advisors—Maggie Benkert, Edward Mason, and Rusty O'Kelley—who share their perspectives on:
▪ How to evaluate whether a board opportunity is the right fit
▪ What board chairs are looking for in new directors
▪ The behaviors that set exceptional board directors apart
▪ How to build effective relationships with fellow board members

"I advise clients and candidates to be really selective about taking a board role. You want to find an opportunity where you can add considerable value, but it's also developmental or stretching for you, and helps support you in your career."

Ed Mason, Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds Associates.

Four things you'll learn from this episode
1. Be strategic and selective when pursuing board opportunities. Ensures it aligns with your career goals, skills, and values.
2. Board selection committees value ‘T-shaped’ leaders who bring both breadth across strategic decision-making and depth in specialized focus areas.
3. The most effective board directors demonstrate five key behaviors: sound judgment, constructive engagement, integrity, asking the right questions, and bringing independent perspectives.
4. Don’t underestimate the importance of building strong connections with fellow board members. Small gestures can make a big difference.

In this episode, we will cover:
▪ What questions executives should ask themselves before pursuing board opportunities.
▪ Three key things boards look for when appointing new directors.
▪ The importance of speaking the language of governance rather than management during board interviews.
▪ Practical strategies for building relationships with fellow board members.
▪ How to maximize your contribution and stay effective throughout your board tenure.

A closer look at the research from this episode:
2025 Board Culture and Director Behavior Study, Russell Reynolds Associates https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/in...

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:44 Know your goals, value, and time limits. Do your homework.
03:38 Fit matters—assess dynamics with the Chair, CEO, and board.
04:58 Boards choose based on industry, strategy, and skill gaps.
06:22 Speak the language of governance, not operations.
07:51 Top directors show judgment, integrity, challenge, focus, and independence.
10:31 Build trust early—show up, connect, collaborate.

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ABOUT REDEFINERS
In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates Leadership Advisors Hoda Tahoun and Simon Kingston, and Board and CEO Advisor Clarke Murphy host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. With each episode, you’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory—no matter where you are on your journey.

ABOUT LEADERSHIP LOUNGE
Hosted by Emma Combe, this podcast mini-series from Russell Reynolds Associates gives you unfettered access to our global team of veteran leadership experts, who share real-world answers to your most-pressing leadership questions.

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