Daily Archive

John Miclot is currently the President and CEO of Respironics, Inc. He also sits on their Board of Directors. Two years into his role as CEO, John was prompted by his Board to seek an external Board seat. John joined Wright Medical’s Board. “I think as I actually became a member of another Board it clearly enhanced not only how I was viewed by Board but also how I interacted and worked with them”.

In choosing to join Wright’s Board John weighed his talents and skills against those of the other Board members. What could he bring that would be a key differentiator? Did his attributes bring some diversity to the Board? John believed he could make a difference with his experience in strategy marketing and a desire to expand into international growth.

John also talked to Buster Houchins about when one should leave a board. How do you know when it’s time to move on? As a CEO John understands that succession planning is critical and this planning also applies to a Board. The need for vital, refreshing, thought leaders on a Board is important and he has evaluated his own Board member’s contributions and indeed, his own. “I think that is true of almost any job that you do at some point you become an individual that has been in the organization or on the Board for a period of time where suddenly the value you bring isn’t that fresh and isn’t that new and I can tell you that when I came to refresh my own Board many of the things individuals would say had become predictable. You know I use time as a basis. I think anytime that you’ve done anything you know for six or seven years it’s probably time to examine those things and ask people to honest and upfront…”. So, if you have been a board member for more than seven years, you should be asking yourself this question, “am I still a contributor to the growth and vitality of this company?’. If you are not, its time to move on. Many other boards can do with your expertise. Your contribution will be fresh and needed.