The Future of Boards

Six

Recognizing Negative Boardroom Group Dynamics

KATHARINA PICK AND KENNETH MERCHANT

Group dynamics—the interactions, interpersonal relationships, and patterns of behavior that occur in a group—shape the ways in which groups perform in any setting. Group dynamics certainly affect boards of directors, the group situated at the head of every organization. Some group dynamics are positive, such that board members can inform, challenge, and stimulate each other. But other dynamics are negative. Even when boards are composed of highly accomplished, experienced, and mostly well-meaning individuals, as they commonly are, boards are just as likely to succumb to the potentially negative sides of group behavior as any other group.

This chapter discusses ...