Practical Board Planning in an Uncertain World with Greg Ridder, Chair, Life Without Barriers & Kogan.com

Practical Board Planning in an Uncertain World with Greg Ridder, Chair, Life Without Barriers & Kogan.com

Author: Boardcycle May 17, 2026 Duration: 11:33

"There's an inherent danger that we lapse into just being operational." - Greg Ridder

Greg Ridder, Chair of Kogan.com, Life Without Barriers and Bridge It, and Director of the PNG Sustainable Development Program, discusses how to build board forward plans that add real value when the planning environment keeps shifting.

Greg explains why the drift from strategic thinking into pure operational focus is a genuine governance risk — and what distinguishes a planning process that keeps the board looking beyond the horizon from one that just manages what's immediately in front of it. He shares what he actually asks company secretaries to put together for the coming 12 months, how he structures the board cycle to ensure major decisions don't arrive as fully-formed proposals, and why the most useful thing a company secretary can do when forward planning feels futile is pay attention to the quality of their relationship with the chair.

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Ever wondered what really happens behind the closed doors of a board meeting? Minutes by boardcycle: Directors | Executives | Governance pulls up a chair at that table. Host Richard Conway sits down with Australia's most prominent boardroom leaders, cutting through the jargon to uncover the human dynamics and strategic thinking that steer organizations. These conversations get straight to the point: how seasoned directors navigate high-stakes decisions, the often-unspoken paths that built their careers, and the practical realities of collaborating effectively at the highest level. This isn't about abstract theory. Each episode delivers focused, actionable insights in under twenty minutes, designed for the busy schedules of directors, executives, and anyone invested in governance. You'll hear firsthand accounts of pressure, persuasion, and pivotal moments, transforming the boardroom from a concept into a tangible learning experience. Tune in to this podcast for a rare, unfiltered look at the craft of leadership and the lessons learned when the stakes are at their highest.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 48

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