It is inexcusable that there is no racial or gender diversity in corporate boards. A diverse board can help companies better reflect the community’s demographics and make better decisions. It will also enhance their reputation. It is imperative that corporations and federal policymakers redouble their efforts to create fair systems that can identify and attract the best talent, and reform the www.board.international/how-to-increase-corporate-board-diversity/ selection process to improve diversity in American corporations.

A lot of discussions on diversity for boards focus on the need to deal with a diverse demographic representation of the company, but the main goal is to find candidates with a wide array of skills, capabilities, and experiences. Diverse board members can bring new approaches to the table, challenge the status quo and take more innovative decisions that drive long-term value.

Through a combination of variables such as age, education, and professional experiences, you can figure out the categories that your board is under- or over-represented in, and then target recruitment accordingly. If your board is predominantly made up of people with degrees in engineering, as an example it may be beneficial to include directors with a background in the marketing field to facilitate a deeper discussion.

Some companies go so far as to announce public statements about their commitment to diversity. This is an excellent way to hold the board and senior management accountable. You can also make use of your board portal to conduct an audit on diversity that will highlight areas in which you must increase the diversity of your workforce.