News and Views

The connection between Gender Equality and ESG may seem obvious with Gender Equality neatly fitting into the ‘S’ of ESG. A study commissioned by iSAW found that the impact of Gender Equality is far more profound, affecting not only the ‘S’ but the ‘E’ and ‘G’ as well. In fact, our ability to make progress in ESG is inextricably linked to our progress in achieving Gender Equality. In this webinar, we will discuss the broader implications of Gender Equality on ESG and achieving better business outcomes, and dive deeper into the link between Gender Equality and the ‘G’.

In this webinar, we’ll explore:

• The importance of gender equality to advancing ESG
• How does gender equality impact the E, S, and G
• Gender equality and implications for governance and the evolving role of a director
• The business imperative for gender equality and how that has evolved, including implications stemming from The Great Resignation
• ESG reporting considerations related to gender equality

Alicia is a governance associate at WATSON where she leads and supports governance reviews, board evaluations, director evaluations, policy development, and just in time advice related to board effectiveness and the board’s oversight of human resources, legal and financial matters. With a profound commitment to DEI, ESG and corporate sustainability, Alicia brings these lenses to all aspects of her work. Alicia’s governance experience spans nearly 15 years, both as a board member and an executive reporting to boards. She currently serves on the boards of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia and the Vancouver Westside German School Society.

Martin is the Chief Strategy Officer for iSAW (international Strategic Accelerator for Women), whose mission is to accelerate by 10x the pace at which gender equality will be achieved in the workplace. He brings his passion for driving improved business performance to create innovative solutions to ensure that iSAW can deliver its ambition. Martin has a wide range of commercial and digital technology-based leadership experiences in diverse business areas within the BP conglomerate and latterly within the UK’s Ministry of Defense (MoD). Martin is a highly empathetic leader and has always seen the value of diversity and inclusion in leadership in delivering better business outcomes. Martin is now able to spend more energy on this latter passion through his role in the iSAW organization. Martin now lives in London.

Manijeh is a senior governance consultant and lawyer at WATSON where she helps boards of directors and their committees through governance reviews, board and director evaluations, and policy manual development, and advises boards with respect to governance structures, frameworks and capacity assessments. She is also a facilitator in WATSON’s Governance Academy delivering governance education programs to both individual directors and boards. Manijeh has nearly 25 years of experience in governance and law working with private and public companies, regulatory bodies, not-for-profit organizations, member-based organizations, and Crown and public sector organizations. With extensive experience as a director, corporate secretary and general counsel and a deep knowledge of emerging governance issues, Manijeh provides thoughtful insight and expertise to boards and management teams that are practical, effective and enhance their organization’s success.

It’s that time of year again. Endless emails outlining the many things boards should focus on this year: 5 things for directors to consider…, 3 practices for 2023…, 10 topics facing boards this year… As directors and board advisors we are highly attuned to the ever-growing list of mission critical issues boards need to focus on and the challenges this growing list poses to the execution of the board’s responsibilities. With increased business complexity, demanding board stewardship requirements, and the need for more board oversight, the director role is becoming more demanding, and more complex.  

So, as we enter 2023, we have ONE thing to share. From our observation advising and partnering with hundreds of boards, it’s not about what the board does, but about how it does its work.   

Over the last year, we’ve heard about, and seen a culture of distinctly Canadian collegiality in boardrooms that limits constructive dialogue. It’s not simply that we’re too nice or too polite, it’s that in this highly complex context, individual directors are not actively sharing reservations, concerns, and alternative views, and boards are not having the quality of conversation they need to make important decisions. This isn’t intentional and doesn’t come from a bad place. It is, in part, attributed to a Canadian culture that avoids conflict and pursues consensus–perhaps too quickly–at the expense of intellectual curiosity and debate. In some cases, lack of debate may be an indicator that more work is needed to foster genuine inclusion at the board table. 

We believe there are opportunities for boards to embrace more openness and healthy tension to elevate the level of constructive dialogue and the board’s value-add. For critical discussions, we see the value of intentional dissent that embraces opposing points of view and enables directors to disagree and build on each other’s points. Intentional dissent is a productive way to introduce friction into the decision-making process. It’s an important step to root out blind spots, kick the tires of recommendations, and bring different perspectives on issues and options to get to the best decision. To be fully satisfied with their decision, boards should not only be satisfied with the decision itself, but the process to get there. 

Regardless of the issue on the agenda–from cyber, talent, and DEI to supply chain, energy transition, and recession–the quality of the board’s contribution depends on the quality of the conversation. And given the challenges facing organizations and boards this year, strategic conversations require that boards embolden all directors to weigh in on context, options, and paths forward. Here are some ways the best boards, chairs, and directors we know combat Canadian collegiality: 

We often hear that the best directors ask hard questions in a “soft” way. They put tough issues and different perspectives on the table in a way that others can hear. Their tone and style complement and enhance their contributions. They are polite and collegial, and skilled at sharing different perspectives, or challenging the status quo. They are skilled at depersonalizing feedback and instead focusing on ideas and options. This level of EQ often requires time and experience, superb role models, and high-quality feedback to truly master. It also requires courage. At the board level, it requires someone to call attention to the problem to start to see a shift in behaviour. Getting used to more intentional dissent and encouraging different views can be a slow and uncomfortable progression and one that should be monitored and acknowledged.  

All boards make decisions today that will shape the future of their organizations. For boards that practise good governance, enhancing the quality of dialogue and decision-making in the boardroom is an opportunity to go beyond the mechanics and lists of oversight areas and add real value in shaping their organization’s future. This one thing will not be easy, but it will have significant impact on the board’s effectiveness in the year ahead.  

Wishing you a safe and spirited 2023. 

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to commemorate the legacy of the residential school system and honour the children who suffered within it.

At WATSON, we have chosen to let our employees recognize this day in their own way. On September 30, our staff are invited to use the day to deepen their understanding and learning on matters related to reconciliation or Indigenous culture.

Here are just some of the ways we’re planning to spend the day:

• Wearing orange
• Reading 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
• Exploring Science World’s Sacred Journey exhibit
• Listening to Stolen: Surviving St. Michaels – a podcast that brings a difficult history to life.
• Visiting the Audain Art Museum’s incredible collection of Northwest Coast First Nations masks
• Viewing the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund panel discussion: Indigenous Perspectives on the Pope’s Apology
• Watching Mary Teegee’s For Love on Netflix
• Visiting the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC
• Learning about traditional Indigenous foods
• Attending the Indigenous Legacy Gathering in Nathan Phillips Square

Our intention is a day where the WATSON team feels supported in its continued learning about reconciliation, equity, and inclusion; where we continue to strengthen and learn together as a firm; and where we invest in ourselves to have impact for our clients and for society.

On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away after 69 years as monarch and head of state for 15 Commonwealth realms. Whether you’re a monarchist or not, that’s quite an impressive run, especially when you consider her 90% approval rating.

Leaders have huge impact on their organizations, regardless of size. From small start-ups to multi-national corporations, tone is set at the top. So what can we learn from a global leader with unprecedented longevity and popularity?

1. Know Your Purpose

In a speech to the nation in 1947, the Queen declared her purpose: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

Having a clear purpose statement and communicating it relentlessly creates transparency and a clear sense of direction. The best leaders bring that purpose to life and consistently translate it into action.

2. Model Your Values

Over the course of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, the British Royal Family endured its share of scandals. And yet through them all, the Queen embodied her values of commitment, restraint, and hard work. Modelling a culture consistently over the long-term builds trust, allowing others to follow and appreciate a leader.

While it can take tremendous time and effort to build, trust can be broken in an instant –  it only takes one wrong move in the moment or a picture that creates a bad impression. Consistency is key.

3. Be Aware That People Are Watching

The Queen was one of the most photographed people in the world. This meant being “on” for any situation in life. A walk to the car, a state ceremony, or the illness and death of a husband would all be punctuated by hundreds of flashbulbs. Yet the image of the Queen remained consistent .

For those new to top leadership roles, one of the most challenging aspects is getting used to the fact that people are constantly watching. There’s no room to be careless with your words – they carry great weight with employees and stakeholders who often try to interprete them for more meaning.

The Queen’s popularity and success as a monarch are founded on competencies that make strong leaders. Even if your setting is more board room than throne room, the example the Queen lived over her 96 years can be an inspiration.