Episode 06: An Interview with Non Executive Director Robin Buckham

Non Executive Director Insider Insights

The transition from an executive position to a Non Executive Director involves many different types of hurdles. This exciting challenge requires you to quickly skill up in a multitude of personal and professional areas and to allow yourself to enjoy the stretch.

These challenges will come from various areas - being heard, soliciting ideas, finding your style in how you govern and manage, etc. As well as building new relationships with members of the board and executive team. And not everyone is on the same page, so what are the keys to landing on your feet and hitting the ground quickly?

In this episode of Non Executive Director Insider Insights, we’re joined by Robin Buckham. At the time of this recording Robin was the Chair at Gippsland Port and on the boards at Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust and the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians. She has since completed her tenure with ACSEP and joined the boards at Rice Growers Australia, and the Law Institute of Victoria.

Simply put, if you’re not up for challenges, a board position is not for you. Enjoy this episode and feel inspired to take a step back and assess how you can best thrive in this environment.

In this episode of Insider Insights, we explore:

• The role of the Interim Executive and where they sit in the delineation between the board and executive management team.
• The challenges of being a Non-Executive Director
• Robin's advice for executives wanting to transition into a board role
• Why knockbacks might be the key to success

A board role demands a complete change of lifestyle paired with a different set of challenges from the executive position. Being mindful of these tests and adjustments allows you to strategise and withstand obstacles in your board pursuits.

If you haven’t listened to our previous episode on Creating a Winning NED Portfolio and Networking For Board Roles with Michelle McLean, check out Episode 05.

Quotes

"You have to be clear-eyed about what you're good at and what you're not." -Robin Buckham

"Your interests and what you’re good at align. You need to be clear on where your strengths are and how you can best add value." -Robin Buckham

"Sometimes we think we need more experience -be more, do more, and have more. But actually, this goes against the grain of the board." -Sally Parrish