How to be a good Board Member

As an entrepreneur and startup investor, I’ve seen my fair share of good and bad board meetings. In my experience, the key to a successful board meeting is preparation and communication. Here are some high-level tips for being a great board member:

1. Read the materials in advance. Don’t just skim them — really process the information and think about the business beforehand.
2. Talk to the CEO before the meeting. Discuss mutual concerns, scope, and any controversial topics. This will help you be more effective in the actual meeting.
3. Understand the psychology of the CEO/founder. Running a startup is stressful, and it’s important to know how the founder is doing mentally and emotionally.
4. Communicate with other board members before the meeting. This helps build trust and strong working relationships, and can make difficult decisions easier to resolve.

By following these tips, you can be a valuable and effective board member, helping your startup succeed and grow.