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Who’s Who in VAB – Get to know our VAB member, James Bonar



What inspired you to become a member of the Virtual Advisory Board community?


I was drawn to VAB because of the quality networking it offers. Members have the chance to connect with seasoned business leaders at the Board and C-Suite levels and use their VAB network to scout prospects for future board positions. Having worked in business consulting and multiple leadership roles over the years, I am also intrigued by opportunities for cooperation, perhaps a commercial partnership, between VAB and the company I lead called the Bonar Institute for Purposeful Leadership. I believe this cooperation could open new opportunities for VAB members as they advance on their board journeys.


In what area do you feel board advisors can add the most value for Boards of Directors (BoDs) and executive teams?


I think the biggest benefit advisors offer is through their position as experienced, confidential, and trusted third-party sounding boards. Advisors can speak truth to power (in a professional manner) and provide practical and actionable insights when and where needed. It is always important to have the perspective of talented experts who are not involved in a business’ day-to-day operations and who can see perhaps what the organisation truly needs from a strategy perspective as opposed to what its leaders might think it needs.


What would be your dream company/organization to work with as a board advisor/NED?


It would be a forward-thinking, high-growth company with a global reach. I love advising and working with businesses committed to optimising their executive talent through purpose. We define purposeful leadership as a moral choice which principled executives make to achieve something greater than themselves and the companies that they lead. Our multidisciplinary team of expert strategic advisors, trainers, executive coaches, and mentors offer practical and impactful advisements, customized courses, and curriculum-based training across North America and beyond.


What book would you recommend to VAB members that might improve their skills in corporate governance, board advisory or boosting board-to-executive team communications?


When it comes to Board Governance, I would definitely recommend The Handbook of Board Governance: A Comprehensive Guide for Public, Private, and Not-for-Private Board Members by Richard Leblanc (Editor). Its 3rd edition will be published soon. Plus, I plan to read Clarke Murphy’s book, Sustainable Leadership: Lessons of Vision, Courage and Grit from CEOs Who Dared to Build a Better World. The author spoke convincingly at a recent VAB virtual event in Brussels on how to elevate corporate leadership skills. His book is at the top of my reading list.


Follow James Bonar on LinkedIn.


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