On Good Governance

We can all agree that ‘good governance’ is critical to any board, but can we agree on what it is? Some would say it’s just about bylaws, audits, and annual retreats; others would say it’s about stewardship, judgement, and culture. At its best, governance is the invisible structure that holds an organization steady through change, challenge, and opportunity.

But here’s the thing: you can have all the right policies in place and still have poor governance if boardroom behaviours aren’t aligned.

So what does good governance look like in action? Here are three essential factors—and what happens when they fall apart.

1️⃣ Clarity is the Foundation

Think of clarity as the architectural blueprint of good governance. Without it, even the most well-meaning board ends up reacting instead of leading.

✅ When clarity is strong, everyone knows their role. The line between governance and operations is respected, but not rigid. The board understands the mission, the strategic priorities, and how their decisions contribute to long-term impact.

🔻 When clarity is missing, people fill the vacuum with assumptions. You see mission creep. Micromanagement. Or worse—complete disengagement.

Tip: Revisit and refresh clarity often. A board’s role evolves as the organization grows. Make space to ask: “Are we aligned on our purpose and priorities?”

2️⃣ Constructive Tension is the Engine

Healthy boards aren’t echo chambers—they’re engines of critical thought. Good governance depends on diversity of opinion and the willingness to ask hard questions.

✅ When constructive tension is welcomed, debate leads to better decisions. Directors feel safe challenging ideas, and leadership isn’t threatened by scrutiny—it’s strengthened by it.

🔻 Without it, boards either become too polite or too political. Conflict goes underground, and decision-making becomes performative or delayed. Eventually, risks pile up quietly in the corners.

Tip: Normalize dissent. Set the tone that challenge is a sign of commitment—not conflict.

3️⃣ Trust is the Glue

You can have all the right structures on paper, but without trust, they won’t hold. Governance is a team sport—and like any team, it needs psychological safety and mutual respect to perform.

✅ With trust, meetings are more productive, accountability is embraced, and tough conversations are possible. The board can disagree without fracturing, and course-correct without blame.

🔻 Without it, conversations become guarded. Alliances form. Information gets hoarded, and directors hesitate to speak candidly. Over time, performance suffers—and so does morale.

Tip: Invest in relationships. Trust is built between meetings, not just during them.

Final thought:
Governance isn’t a checklist—it’s a culture. And like any culture, it’s shaped by what we reinforce, what we tolerate, and what we model. Build clarity. Embrace tension. Cultivate trust.
Everything else—strategy, oversight, impact—gets better from there.