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The Department for Education recognises that it’s not only the ‘hard’ skills governors bring to their board. The 7 attributes listed include some vital ‘soft’ skills governors need.
Committed
Devoting the required time and energy to the role and ambitious to achieve best possible outcomes for young people. Prepared to give time, skills and knowledge to developing themselves and others in order to create highly effective governance.
Confident
Of an independent mind, able to lead and contribute to courageous conversations, to express their opinion and to play an active role on the board.
Curious
Possessing an enquiring mind and an analytical approach and understanding the value of meaningful questioning.
Challenging
Providing appropriate challenge to the status quo, not taking information or data at face value and always driving for improvement.
Collaborative
Prepared to listen to and work in partnership with others and understanding the importance of building strong working relationships within the board and with executive leaders, staff, parents and carers, pupils/students, the local community and employers.
Critical
Understanding the value of critical friendship which enables both challenge and support, and self-reflective, pursing learning and development opportunities to improve their own and whole board effectiveness.
Creative
Able to challenge conventional wisdom and be open-minded about new approaches to problem-solving; recognising the value of innovation and creative thinking to organisational development and success.