Outside of the box thinking requires opening up - 30 Years GUBERNA - Future generations shaping the agenda
Different generations bring their own perspectives to the boardroom, which can spark sharper discussions and more balanced decisions, if these differences are truly embraced. Traditional rules on good governance are being challenged: age alone doesn’t say much. What matters are skills, viewpoints, and whether a board makes room for new voices. Adding a younger member is one thing, but how do you make sure they actually make a difference? Panelists Denis Zenner, Béatrice de Mahieu, Hans De Cuyper, Griet Aerts, Sophie Stegen, Saartje Verbeke, and Louis Jonckheere shared their experiences on how generations, shareholders or not, interact and influence board dynamics.
This captivating panel felt like a ball game, with ideas constantly flowing. Our key takeaways:
1. Governance is about people, and people are multi-dimensional. The experts encouraged looking beyond age differences to understand how boards can genuinely embrace diverse perspectives.
2. Clear expectations and processes help. For example, a feedback loop ensures everyone’s perspective is included.
3. Learning to act as a board member takes time and is supported by mentorship.
4. Boards should spend time together to get to know each other and build mutual trust.
5. Board culture shapes interactions and should welcome and integrate all voices. It is worth noting that:
A conforming culture stifles innovation.
A hierarchical culture tends to be more static and less open to new ideas.
Younger generations in family businesses often face a dilemma: as a young member, one may feel inclined to conform to older members’ opinions, yet a young director represents the future and is responsible for shaping it.
“You are not a spectator; this is your show - act!” the experts urged younger directors.
Younger board members look for purpose, willing to have an impact on what company does.
Stakeholders’ perspective gains more importance, and the panelists gave various examples on how boards open up to those.
Data, algorithms and AI offer new opportunities in identifying needs of and establishing tighter relations with stakeholders.
Nuances and details not captured in this summary are worth revisiting. We invite you to listen to the recording above and warmly thank the experts and audience for this enriching debate.
