144. Is your boardROOM an impediment to good governance?

I'm kinda obsessed with re-thinking the layout of boardrooms. Here's why.

 

SCRIPT

If you’re super attentive, you might have noticed me referring a few times this season to the impact of boardroom layout on good governance. This episode is where I admit that I’m kinda OBSESSED with the idea of re-thinking boardrooms. You remember last episode when I said 1000% improvement can come from 1% change? I think this is a good example of where a small change can have a HUGE impact. Over the past few decades, you’ve probably noticed a whole bunch of experiments in workspace optimization. Cubicles, open concept, private offices, hoteling, space for play, remote work, and more. Smart managers are interested in exploring and better understanding how the work environment affects morale, productivity, culture, innovation, and ultimately organizational success. Absolutely *none* of that curiosity has broken through the impenetrable barrier of the boardroom door. But let’s be honest: why is your boardroom laid out the way it is? Other than it being the way every boardroom is laid out, that is. What is your current layout good for? How is it serving good governance? What other layouts might contribute to effective conditions for making decisions? What if a “typical” boardroom layout with a single oval or rectangle or square or circle or horseshoe with chairs around the outside and a screen at one end, etc., became illegal? What other options would you consider, and why?