My friend, Dr. Ruth Akumbu, recently self-published a children’s book series called “The Chronicles of Ayana and Kamau” and it is excellent. From the first page, I found myself immersed in a village very like the one Ruth grew up in in Cameroon. These are chronicles that reflect the rites of passage and trials of initiation important to the tribes in various African cultures. Children’s books like these are not found on the shelves of Barnes and Noble, so I find myself wanting to share about them with everyone I meet because these stories need to be told. But what does this have to do with boards?
As one who lived in Rwanda for several years and who continues to consult with organizations working in many developing countries, I found myself wondering two things about these children’s tales and boardroom tables.
These Chronicles highlight the importance of passing down the stories from one generation to the next and the rites of passage that accompany these tales. Do we share our origin stories on a frequent basis around the boardroom table? What are the rites of passage new board members take to join a board and does our recruitment and orientation process include the origin story?
The depth of these tales made me better appreciate my friend, Ruth. If I serve on a board that is serving in a country not my own, how are the voices of the culture we are serving reflected at the boardroom table? For example, if I am serving an organization that works in Cameroon, but I do not have a voice like Ruth’s at the table, sharing these cultural stories, then the mission isn’t being served.
What are the stories your board is sharing and whose story needs to be at the boardroom table to better share your decision-making?
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