Why Community Board Roles Boost Employee Leadership and Development

Encouraging a member of your team to secure a non-executive director (NED) role is not only a professional milestone for them – it’s a smart investment as part of your organisation’s learning and development. A board role accelerates leadership growth, building advanced business knowledge and strategic skills. It also broadens perspective and expands high-value networks. All of this delivers significant benefits back to your business.

A multitude of community organisations require board members, from local charities, to primary schools to grass-roots sports clubs. Mid-career professionals can make meaningful contributions to this type of board, with minimal disruption to their executive commitments. And they’ll gain huge benefits to bring back into your business. 

Develop the capabilities your organisation needs to navigate constant global change

In today’s environment of constant, complex global change – from the rapid rise of AI to shifting market, regulatory and societal challenges – businesses need leaders who can think broadly, act decisively, and adapt quickly. Encouraging employees’ board ambitions helps them develop exactly those capabilities.

The leadership and development benefits of supporting employees as non-executive directors

Here are eight reasons why your organisation should be considering this as a key element of your people strategy:

1 Enhanced Leadership and Career Skills for Employees

Joining a board develops business skills and knowledge that may be hard for employees to acquire in more junior day-to-day management roles. These include strategic thinking, governance knowledge, and high-level decision-making that deliver significant impact back to your organisation.

2 Broadens Employees’ Industry Knowledge and Networks

Exposure to board-level discussions widens their market awareness and industry connections. Your organisation gains from their broadened perspective and potential new connections for your business.

3 Strengthens Your Brand Within Your Wider Community

Employees serving on community boards signals engagement and leadership within the wider community. This positions your organisation as one that values community involvement and social responsibility.

4 Plugs Leaky Talent Pipelines Through Meaningful Development

Supporting employees in securing board roles provides valuable, real-world development opportunities that keep them engaged and motivated. By offering pathways for growth beyond traditional promotions, you reduce the risk of losing high-potential staff to competitors and strengthen your leadership pipeline for the future. We have found this to be particularly effective for minorities and under-represented groups.

5 Stronger Strategic Resilience Within Your Organisation

Board experience deepens employees’ understanding of organisational challenges, workforce risk, and resilience. Exposure to governance at this level equips them to anticipate and respond to disruption – from the transformative impact of AI to wider economic, regulatory, and geopolitical change – bringing fresh, forward-looking perspectives back into your organisation

6 Builds Employee Confidence & Ability to Tackle New Challenges

Board experience boosts an employee’s confidence as well as their professional skills. This makes them more willing to step forward for new challenges and leadership opportunities within your organisation.

7 Supports Career Progression at Every Stage

Backing board appointments helps employees stay connected during career breaks and plan for the long term. It fosters loyalty and engagement throughout their executive career.

8 Highlights Employees with True Potential and Grit

Taking on a board role alongside a successful day-job requires meaningful commitment, comfort with a high degree of responsibility, adaptability to work in different contexts with different people and the grit to work through challenging issues. It can be challenging to verify these qualities in promotion selection processes, but those with a board role have already demonstrated their resilience.

Next Steps for Employers

Empowering employees to take on community board roles isn’t just about individual growth – it’s about strengthening your organisation as a whole. 

Here are some great podcast episodes about the benefits of a board career on your executive career that are well worth a listen – Tracey Watkinson, COO at Natwest and Dr Douglas Gurr, ex-Amazon China President.

With a WB Directors Corporate Partnership, you can unlock the full potential of your organisation’s talent. Our inclusive solutions combine the latest research-led approaches to leadership and development with hands-on learning through our unique boardroom offer. This tailored support inspires and prepares employees to secure non-executive director roles, delivering lasting benefits for your people and your business.

Get in touch today to discuss your organisation’s people needs with our team