E478 – Current & Critical – Zoe Harrison, Rethinking Board Roles: How to Embrace Diversity, Technology and Strategy
“The innovator skill set is solving the problems that [boards] don’t even know that [they] have yet.”
Zoe Harrison shares a wealth of knowledge about joining and thriving on a board, addressing the critical balance between strategic oversight and hands-on involvement. Drawing from her extensive board experience, she emphasizes the transformative role of generative thinking in crafting a bold vision for an organization while ensuring fiduciary and operational responsibilities are met. Her advice on aligning personal values with organizational goals offers practical guidance for anyone considering or deepening their board service journey.
Zoe also provides a candid look at the red flags aspiring board members should watch for, such as unclear roles or a lack of transparency, and the potential liabilities tied to governance. She stresses the importance of viewing diversity through a broad lens—one that values varied perspectives and skill sets as much as demographic representation. By fostering this kind of diversity, boards can overcome groupthink, spark innovation, and better reflect the communities they serve. This episode equips listeners with actionable insights to engage meaningfully in governance and elevate their impact as leaders.