The idea of a board coach

To improve governance, can a coach help by holding a behavioral mirror to a board?

Could responsible Indian companies experiment with having an experienced and wise leader sit in at board meetings as a fly-on-the-wall? He or she would function as a behavioural mirror, reflecting board dynamics rather than commenting on the content or substance of board transactions.

 

Such a practice does exist, though it is rare. I have worked on a board where, by turn, one independent director would play this role. I have also experienced a board that recruited such a coach to attend three board meetings and offer suggestions for improvement. To have any chance of success,