As more executives and leaders consider stepping into board roles, the question often isn’t if you can add value, it’s how and where you will do so most effectively. From recent insights shared by experienced Australian board leaders, one perspective stands out as especially practical for people contemplating their first directorship.
Diane Kargas Bray AM FAICD Life, an experienced director recognised as a 2025 Life Fellow by the Australian Institute of Company Directors, offers a simple but powerful piece of advice for those at the start of their board journey: be intentional about your first appointment.
“If you’re contemplating joining a board, you need to be aligned with the company’s purpose. You’ve got to be passionate and it’s got to get you up in the morning. The first board you join will set the direction of your board career. Do your own due diligence. Understand the dynamic around the board table. Reflect on whether this is the right spot for you.” (Source www.aicd.com.au)
This guidance strikes at the heart of what many emerging directors overlook: fit isn’t just about skills – it’s about alignment, purpose and genuine engagement with the organisation’s mission. Before accepting an invitation to join a board, Diane emphasises two critical questions:
1. Why this board — and why now?
A board role isn’t just another line on your CV. It’s a long-term commitment that requires deep curiosity, strategic thinking, and the willingness to ask hard questions. Understanding the organisation’s mission, stakeholders, and culture should inform your decision long before you walk into the first board meeting.
2. Are you prepared to add real value?
Diane, in this article, also underscores the importance of knowing what you bring – and where you might need to grow. Your first board role should align with your existing strengths, while also offering the opportunity to stretch into new areas of governance, leadership, and influence.
For the Be Executive audience – many of whom are seasoned professionals with deep sector experience – Diane’s advice is both practical and clarifying: don’t take a board opportunity simply because it’s there. Take it because it aligns with your purpose, your expertise, and your desire to contribute meaningfully.
In the complex and evolving world of governance, this mindset will not only set you up for success – it will help you thrive.
To read the full article, go to: https://www.aicd.com.au/board-of-directors/career/2025-faicdlife-awardees-share-lessons-for-emerging-and-established-directors.html
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