When presenting a topic to the Board of Directors or one of its committees, situations often arise that call for special attention...
Executive management; more specifically GRC and Internal Audit leaders given the breadth of their mandate; sometimes face uncomfortable moments when presenting to the Board or its committees. It is not uncommon to receive detailed questions that require very specific answers. Naturally, no one is expected to recall every breakdown of figures or the finer points of supporting work on the spot. Yet responding with “I don’t have these details and will get back to you” can delay decisions or create discomfort among participants.
So, how can governance around this be improved? Sharing presentation materials in advance certainly helps participants prepare, but that alone is not enough. A simple but often overlooked practice is for recipients of the materials to share their questions or requests for additional detail before the meeting. This gives the presenter time to gather the necessary information and ensures discussions remain focused, efficient, and decision-ready.
Unpleasant surprises help no one. Anticipating questions and preparing in advance strengthens the integrity of the dialogue and foster cooperation rather than reinforcing silos...
Have you or someone you know faced such situations? How did you approach them? Share your views.