Directors & Board Leadership Training in Dublin, Ireland

This course equips directors, board members, and senior leaders with the essential leadership capabilities and governance skills required to fulfill board responsibilities effectively. It covers strategic oversight, ethical leadership, risk management, board dynamics, and decision-making in a complex business environment

THE ROLE OF THE BOARD AND STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT

1. Welcome and Course Introduction
• Objectives, structure, and participant expectations
• Icebreaker: “What makes a board effective?”
2. The Role and Responsibilities of the Board
• Corporate governance principles
• Duties of care, loyalty, and compliance
• Board vs. management roles
3. Board Composition and Structure
• Types of boards: executive, non-executive, advisory
• Committees: audit, risk, remuneration, ESG
• The importance of diversity and independence
4. Strategic Oversight
• Role of the board in strategy development and review
• Aligning purpose, vision, and values
• Tools for monitoring strategic execution
5. Understanding the Legal and Fiduciary Framework
• Director liabilities and protections
• Conflict of interest and whistleblower responsibilities
• Case examples and discussion
6. Reflection and Wrap-Up
• Group discussion
• Journaling prompt: “What is my impact as a director?”

EFFECTIVE BOARD LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING

1. Boardroom Dynamics and Leadership Styles
• Understanding board culture and behavior
• Influence, persuasion, and emotional intelligence at board level
• Role-play: Handling disagreement professionally
2. Financial and Risk Oversight
• Key financial indicators directors should know
• Reading and interpreting board financial reports
• Risk management framework and oversight responsibilities
3. Ethical Leadership and Corporate Responsibility
• Ethical dilemmas and difficult decisions
• ESG and stakeholder governance
• Reputation, sustainability, and long-term value
4. Decision-Making Under Pressure
• Structured decision-making frameworks
• Scenario planning and board simulations
• Group case study: Crisis management in the boardroom
5. Board Evaluation and Performance
• Assessing board effectiveness
• Feedback and peer review techniques
• Director self-evaluation
6. Day 2 Wrap-Up
• Lessons learned
• Group feedback and insights

PRACTICAL BOARD SKILLS AND PERSONAL IMPACT

1. Chair and Committee Leadership
• Role of the Chairperson and committee leads
• Agenda setting, facilitation, and follow-up
• Chair vs. CEO responsibilities
2. Communication and Influence at Board Level
• Speaking up with confidence and credibility
• Navigating power dynamics and diverse viewpoints
• Listening and consensus-building skills
3. Stakeholder Engagement
• Engaging investors, regulators, and key stakeholders
• Transparency, disclosure, and communication principles
• Crisis communication basics for directors
4. Board Case Studies and Best Practices
• Analysis of real-life governance failures and successes
• Lessons from global boards and corporate collapses
• Group exercise: Director response in a reputational crisis
5. Personal Leadership and Development Plan
• Identifying strengths and development areas
• Building your board career and director brand
• Networking and continuing education
6. Final Assessment and Closing
• Knowledge check or board simulation
• Participant presentations (optional)
• Course feedback, discussion, and certification