Clarity, without Complexity
Our Skills Matrix process helps boards see clearly what skills they need, and how to grow together.
We support boards to pause, reflect, and get clear on what they need to govern well.
What is a Skills Matrix?
A Skills Matrix is a tool used to help boards identify what capabilities are important around their board table for delivering their strategy.
Our Skills Matrix is a practical and collaborative 5-Step process tailored to your organisation. This isn’t a one-size-fits all spreadsheet. We work in a way that’s inclusive, practical, and aligned with your goals. Together with your board, we explore the knowledge, skills, and mindset competencies of your current and future board.
This process isn’t about past performance. It’s about planning to succeed and growing people. And we’ve designed it to help your board have the right conversations, in the right way, at the right time.
Why We Developed This Process
Off-the-shelf matrices can be a helpful start, but they often miss the mark when it comes to reflecting a board’s real-world needs. So, we built something better.
Grounded in research and shaped by our experience with hundreds of boards across Aotearoa, and aligned with the UK Institute of Directors’ Competency Framework.
But more than that, we built a process that boards want to be part of. One that makes room for reflection, difference, and the deep care people bring to their governance roles.
Because talking about capability, especially your own, is personal. We don’t take that lightly. Our role is to guide the process in a way that feels respectful, clear, and constructive. We’ll work with your Chair to make sure this is done in a way that fits your board’s culture and needs.
Our 5-Step Process
Our Skills Matrix approach is a foundation with tailored aspects along the way. Here’s how it works:
1. Skills Matrix Survey
Board members complete a short survey to consider and rank which competencies they believe are most important and suggest others in 3 key areas.
2. Chair Meeting & Initial Report
Our expert facilitators meet with your Chair to walk through the responses and prepare a summary report of key themes. This helps shape the next step.
3. Skills Matrix Workshop
A facilitated session with the whole board to explore which competencies are vital for delivering your strategy — and build shared understanding of what’s needed to future-proof success. After this workshop, we finalise your Skills Matrix.
4. Self-Assessment Survey (optional)
This survey invites a reflective and constructive approach. It is not an evaluation of personal worth, but a sensitive exercise in understanding where the board stands collectively. Results from this survey are used internally to moderate the results of the final Skills Matrix. We’ll always work with the board to ensure this step is handled with care.
5. Ongoing Support (optional)
If you choose, our expert facilitator’s can assist with moderation and continued support as your organisation continues on their capabilities journey.
"Another excellent session ran by Giselle. She always manages to get everyone in the room engaged and able to have a robust discussion with clear outcomes and next steps."
WORKSHOP ATTENDEE
"I enjoyed the discussion on how 'competent' the board needs to be at the skills we had just identified as necessary to our board."
WORKSHOP ATTENDEE
Why It Matters
Every board has strengths. But not every board has the same understanding of what’s needed or has a shared plan to get there.
The Skills Matrix helps you:
- Align capability with your strategy
- Plan for succession or recruitment
- Identify development opportunities
- Have the right governance conversations
It’s a thoughtful way to progress forward, not because something’s wrong, but because your organisation deserves clarity, competence and confidence at the board table.