This article first appeared as an article for the Institute of Directors. “Books became my go-to solution.” A transformational read on liberalism and why boards should welcome ideas but stay focused on purpose. Jim Donovan CFInstD describes himself as a ‘retiring’ professional director who now holds just one board role – independent chair of the New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group Inc, a forum representing the network infrastructure sector that advises the Minister for Infrastructure on improvements to the legislative framework governing the sector. As a CEO, he led major transformations at the helm of power company Electra, IT services firm Fronde, and telecommunications manufacturer Deltec. He has also held a wide range of company, industry, and government board roles – including chair of Crown-owned telecommunications company REANNZ. And he is a former IoD board member and mentor. This week, he shares a transformational read and explains why boards should welcome ideas and in...
If you know me, you'll know I'm a fan of Isambard Kingdom Brunel , the renowned 19th century engineer. One of my maxims is that designing and operating a great business is akin to a great engineering project: Purpose : an overarching proposition of what you offer the world, to whom, and why they'd want it; Principles : mutually-reinforcing core principles and values which define and underpin everything you do; Vision : a clear, coherent, consistent, and elegant design of how you will make and fulfil your offer; Focus : doing what should be done to build that (and not doing what shouldn't); Ambition : thinking, planning, and acting for greatness. I'm working on a side project that's very different from my usual focus, but still based on that maxim. So I may go quiet for a while, although I'll be contactable on Twitter and LinkedIn .