Leadership & Management

Board Readiness for Senior Executives

Joining a board, or working closely with one, requires a different perspective from executive management. This course prepares senior executives for board-level roles: understanding directors’ duties, board dynamics, strategy oversight, risk and audit responsibilities, reading board papers critically and contributing effectively in the boardroom.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Board seats increasingly go to those who can demonstrate governance understanding. You will gain the knowledge and confidence to add value at board level.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Governance briefings, board simulations, analysis of board papers, case studies of board failures and personal board-readiness planning.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain directors’ legal and fiduciary duties
Understand the roles of the board and its committees
Oversee strategy without managing operations
Challenge risk, audit and financial information
Contribute effectively to board discussions
Plan a path to board appointments

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Senior executives aspiring to board roles
Newly appointed directors
C-suite executives working with boards
Company secretaries
Senior public sector leaders

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Governance knowledge
Strategic oversight
Financial scrutiny
Boardroom influence
Ethical judgement

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1The Role of the Board

09:00–10:08Purpose and responsibilities
10:08–11:00Directors’ duties
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Directors’ duties (continued)
11:45–12:53Executive versus non-executive roles
12:53–14:00Exercise: board role clarity

Day 2Strategy Oversight

09:00–10:08Board involvement in strategy
10:08–11:00Monitoring performance
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Monitoring performance (continued)
11:45–12:53Constructive challenge
12:53–14:00Simulation: strategy session

Day 3Risk, Audit and Finance

09:00–10:08Reading financial statements as a director
10:08–11:00Risk oversight
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Risk oversight (continued)
11:45–12:53Audit committee role
12:53–14:00Exercise: reviewing board papers

Day 4Board Dynamics

09:00–10:08Chair and CEO relationship
10:08–11:00Group dynamics and dissent
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Group dynamics and dissent (continued)
11:45–12:53Ethics and conflicts of interest
12:53–14:00Case study: board failure

Day 5Becoming Board-Ready

09:00–10:08Building a board profile
10:08–11:00Finding opportunities
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Finding opportunities (continued)
11:45–12:53Induction for new directors
12:53–14:00Personal plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.