Board Compass

Leadership

• Actively supports the Executive and SMT and ensures that they are well resourced to perform highly in their roles
• Sets SMART goals and objectives and take ownership and responsibility for them
• Recognise that what we say and do sets the standards that others will follow
• Make a decision at the right time after assessing the right information
• Knowing when to let others lead

Vision & Embracing Change

• Make time to consider the future
• Capture ideas and issues from the wider marketplace and feed into the Board discussion
• Be open to embracing change and view both sides of an issue – positive and negative
• Be able to communicate clearly to others issues, ideas and solutions

Communication

• Clear, concise, regular, on time communication – to Board, Shareholders, Practice, XLVet Offices
• Listen first, speak later
• Be precise and move things forward - “The what”, “so what”, “now what”
• Consider presentation style as a contributor to the message in addition to the content
• Give consideration to the effects of actions on others

Integrity

• Earn the trust of others by doing what you say you are going to do
• Maintain reputation of professionalism through the mutual respect of peers
• Act with honesty and confidentiality

Commitment

• Turn up to meetings and fully participate
• Share personal and practice experience, knowledge and wisdom to the Board discussions
• Volunteer to take on tasks
• Follow up and commit the right amount of time to tasks to make sure they happen

Drive

• Perseverance to make things happen
• Display positive energy and enthusiasm
• Engage and enthuse others in order to get things done
• Do not allow the business to be “knocked off” course by others

Business Acumen

• Arrive at a clear, unambiguous and supported decision
• Recognition where own knowledge stops & use others skills
• Seek to expand knowledge base through learning and application of new skills
• Negotiation to ensure a good result for themselves & others
• Fiscally numerate

Teamwork and Togetherness

• Display active listening skills: Being able to express the views of others
• Giving and receiving positive and constructive feedback graciously
• Make time to review the team performance
• Remember the need for humour