A board's role and function is not static over time. As its members develop experience and insight in their various board and non-board roles and activities, they bring enhanced insight and understanding to the board. Directors "mature" in the role as do executive managers mature in their roles.


Similarly, as executive positions change within the company, keener focus is required is some areas impacted by those changes. As new incumbents gain experience and understanding in their role, so the need of the board to be vigilant "softens" as trust, honesty and understanding grows.

As challenges emerge in a corporation's operating environment, so directors need to develop understanding of the issues and develop competencies enabling them to adjudicate on strategies or remedies affected by those challenges.

Thus an important aspect of directorship is the ability to be flexible and understand new contexts, new people and be able to absorb new skills.

In this day and age, there are not many boards that can justify inflexibility in its members.