Want to introduce a Board Observership Program to your business? We’ve created a 'how-to'​ guide

As we reach the end of the first year of our Board Observership Program, I’m really proud of the program we’ve built. 

This program takes the form of a six-month, paid opportunity for an ambitious professional with disability to participate and contribute at board level within Hireup. That person builds their governance and corporate leadership skills to utilise in future management and/or governance roles, while we, as a board, benefit from the fresh perspective of someone with a different skill set, professional background and lived experience. 

It’s a win-win - and it’s one of the ways we’re addressing the disproportionately low representation of disability in management and leadership.  

Our first Board Observer, Sydney-based social entrepreneur and brand expert, Steve Ralph, brought his insight and experience to our board for the first half of this year. Since July, communications expert Natalia Hodgins has taken the reins as our second Board Observer. Natalia lives in Perth, so has participated in board meetings and training remotely. 

Natalia will complete the whole program having not met any of us in the flesh - but as the pandemic has proven, this is hardly a problem. As she says: “The most powerful thing a leader can say to someone who is building their career while managing a disability is, you are absolutely the right person for this opportunity, what can we do to make it work for you?

“That is being inclusive and that is how you find people in the margins and empower them to fulfil their potential - by flexing the opportunity to suit the human being.” 

I’m conscious that other businesses might have hesitations around introducing a program like this. We all tend to approach change with trepidation - and the idea of inviting an outside party into your company board meetings could be seen as too complex, too risky, or an unnecessary distraction. 

But addressing the issue of representation - especially for people your company intends to serve - is absolutely necessary. And let me assure you that, since launching our Board Observership Program, and bringing new voices to the table, we’ve only experienced benefits of deeper conversation and better decision-making. 

If your business is considering introducing a program like this, don’t hold back. Commit to it and put it in place. It’s a small change to make for a business, but the more companies creating pathways into leadership for professionals with disability - and those from other underrepresented groups - the bigger the impact of diversifying organisations in Australia. 

On that note, we’ve created a Board Observership Program 'How-to' Guide for other organisations to use as a blueprint for their own programs. This can be requested by completing a form on our site. If your company is yet to explore and enjoy this kind of opportunity, now is the time to get on board.