Episode 382: Working through boardroom dysfunction with Heather Campbell

Today on the Take on Board podcast, I speak with Heather Campbell about navigating boardroom dysfunction and the relationship dynamics among boards, chairs, CEOs, and the C-suite.

Heather is an Irish consultant based in Glasgow, Scotland, who works globally and focuses on communication, relationships, power dynamics, and fear and anger in senior leadership settings.

We discuss how tension can arise even with good intentions, including examples such as transparency in board reporting and blurred boundaries when boards engage directly with staff. Heather shares practical ways to move from dysfunction to trust, starting with examining what is happening in the system, identifying where fear operates and using listening to reduce defensiveness.

We also cover how directors can raise concerns early with a chair, recognising the power dynamics involved, and why unresolved dysfunction affects the whole organisation.