77. Do You Need Governance Education?

Governance education is everywhere.  Sometimes it‘s excellent, and sometimes it‘s awful.  A lot of the time is exorbitantly expensive.  Do *you* need it? SCRIPT: I’ll give away the punchline up front since it won’t surprise anyone. Of course *every* director and executive can benefit from continuing education related to governance. As obvious as that might seem, it doesn’t mean you should just rush out and spend a fortune on a super premium executive education course at a big name university. I should know…I teach some of those programs! The thing is, over the past 20-odd years governance education has basically proliferated around the world faster than anyone can keep up. In-person or online, courses tailored to different sectors, different price points, different specialized topics, and different levels of experience. Instructors who are practitioners, scientists, and performers – young, old, charismatic, sedate. You might get a real degree, an “air quotes” degree, a certificate, or a handshake. Or maybe just satisfaction. You might be in a real or virtual room with your peers, or it might be an asynchronous offering that you consume from your bed at your own pace. But why should you bother in the first place? I think there are three main factors to consider. First, where are you going to meet and spend quality time with the most inspiring people? Second, do you need a broad overview and update, or a specialized deep dive – or both? Finally, which option makes you feel actually excited to invest the time and energy (and money)? Consider doing something big or small every year, even just to keep yourself plugged in to the scene.