Research reveals route to resolving boardroom tension and conflict

A new report shows that while “tension” between board members is viewed as a healthy addition to discussion, “conflict” can be disruptive and best dealt with outside the boardroom.

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Boardroom tension and conflict is most likely to arise around decision-making, particularly over company purpose and direction, according to new research.
However, while tension is viewed as a "positive and necessary" characteristic for effective boards, boardroom conflict is "disruptive and detrimental".
The views come from 35 face-to-face interviews conducted with chairmen, chief executives, company secretaries, CFOs and non-executives by Henley Business School for ICSA: The Governance Institute. The research, entitled Conflict and Tension in the Boardroom, was presented at ICSA's annual conference in London yesterday by Professor And
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