Much has been written about the advantages diverse individuals bring to corporate boards and the benefits to corporate governance of disparate ideas, backgrounds and human experience. But little guidance exists about how to advise a group of individuals who are as diverse in their background as they are in their approach to avoiding, navigating and resolving legal disputes. Corporate counsel play key roles in advising, guiding and managing board-level decisions regarding legal risk. It would seem, therefore, that successful risk management requires an understanding—and a harnessing—of the individual personalities of the people who make up the corporation’s governing body. Here is a brief primer regarding some of the personalities that compose the board—and some guidance regarding how to leverage those disparate personalities to achieve consensus.
The Peacemaker
The peacemaker may be easy to identify because this individual enjoys brokering disputes. Typically the peacemaker will advocate their position by identifying specific objective criteria that a brokered resolution will accomplish. The peacemaker prides themselves on their ability as leaders to drive consensus and this is undoubtedly a strength. If the goal of the particular decision is to bring closure to a typical matter, corporate counsel should consider making the peacemaker the focus of any initial presentation with a particular emphasis on the matters to be gained by resolution. The peacemaker will be an ally in any decision that requires suppleness in fashioning positions. Consensus is core to their values.
