What Makes a Great Board Member: Part II | Bill Clendenen, Charlie Talbot & Michael Burcham on Boardroom Behaviors That Drive Results
Thu Jan 22 2026
In this episode, Bill Clendenen, Charlie Talbot, and Michael Burcham build on the foundation of great board design by focusing on how effective board members show up in practice. They explore the mindset, behaviors, and preparation that separate high-impact directors, emphasizing curiosity over judgment, role clarity, and alignment with the strategic plan. The conversation examines what strong board preparation looks like, how directors add value inside and outside the boardroom, and why understanding the CEO’s perspective is critical. Throughout, they highlight how great board members help translate strategy into results, support talent development, and proactively engage to accelerate value creation.
Key Takeaways:
Great board members lead with curiosity over judgment and clear role awareness, creating trust and stronger outcomes with management.The most effective boards translate strategy into execution by aligning directors, investors, and CEOs around direction, pace, and results.Preparation anchored in the strategic plan allows boards to stay forward-looking, ask better questions, and focus on what matters most.High-impact directors extend their influence beyond meetings through proactive engagement, talent development, and targeted support for CEOs and teams.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction01:12 – How Great Board Members Show Up03:11 – Turning Strategy Into Results09:37 – How Great Boards Prepare17:03 – Impact Beyond the Boardroom
Listen to our podcasts at:
https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts
You’ll also find other Bigger. Stronger. Faster. episodes, alongside our Microcap Moments and Everyday Heroes series—highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.
Other ways to connect:
Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog
Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/
Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university
This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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In this episode, Bill Clendenen, Charlie Talbot, and Michael Burcham build on the foundation of great board design by focusing on how effective board members show up in practice. They explore the mindset, behaviors, and preparation that separate high-impact directors, emphasizing curiosity over judgment, role clarity, and alignment with the strategic plan. The conversation examines what strong board preparation looks like, how directors add value inside and outside the boardroom, and why understanding the CEO’s perspective is critical. Throughout, they highlight how great board members help translate strategy into results, support talent development, and proactively engage to accelerate value creation. Key Takeaways: Great board members lead with curiosity over judgment and clear role awareness, creating trust and stronger outcomes with management.The most effective boards translate strategy into execution by aligning directors, investors, and CEOs around direction, pace, and results.Preparation anchored in the strategic plan allows boards to stay forward-looking, ask better questions, and focus on what matters most.High-impact directors extend their influence beyond meetings through proactive engagement, talent development, and targeted support for CEOs and teams. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction01:12 – How Great Board Members Show Up03:11 – Turning Strategy Into Results09:37 – How Great Boards Prepare17:03 – Impact Beyond the Boardroom Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You’ll also find other Bigger. Stronger. Faster. episodes, alongside our Microcap Moments and Everyday Heroes series—highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.