Challenge accepted: how to disagree well on boards

Challenge accepted: how to disagree well on boards

How to foster constructive challenge and healthy disagreement that lead to stronger governance.

By Eastside People

Date and time

Location

Online

Refund Policy

No Refunds

About this event

Disagreement isn’t a problem. It’s a sign of a healthy board. It’s how you handle it that matters.

In this session, we’ll explore why constructive challenge is vital for good governance, and why too much agreement can be just as dangerous as open conflict.

Learn how to spot groupthink, encourage constructive challenge and foster a board culture where difficult conversations lead to stronger decisions.

We’ll also explore how trustees can strike the right balance between challenging staff and offering meaningful support.

Disagreeing well is a skill few boards truly master, so this session is for every trustee who wants to help their board do better.

Brought to you by Eastside People as part of the Festival of Trusteeship during Trustees' Week 2025, with headline support from the Institute of Leadership.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Festival of Trusteeship for?

The Festival is for current trustees, aspiring trustees, charity leaders, governance professionals, and anyone interested in the future of board leadership. Led by Eastside People, during Trustees' Week 2025, proudly supported by the Institute of Leadership.

How do I access the online sessions?

Online sessions will be via Zoom. You’ll receive a confirmation email after booking with access details. We’ll also send reminders and joining links ahead of each session.

I’ve never been a trustee before, can I still attend?

Absolutely. Whether you're just curious or actively looking for a role, this Festival is a great place to learn, connect, and explore next steps. In particular, if you’re thinking of becoming a trustee you can attend any of our ‘Aspiring Trustee’ sessions at no charge.

How can I find my Zoom link once I’ve bought my ticket?

When you book via EventBrite our ticketing platform, you will receive a confirmation email that include your Zoom link. If you haven’t received anything, please check your spam folder. It’s a good idea to copy your Zoom link into a calendar entry for the day of your session so that you have it.

What reasonable adjustments are in place and who can I talk to about any access requirements?

We want all aspiring and serving trustees to be able to enjoy the Festival. Closed captions are enabled on all Festival sessions. If there are other ways in which we can make the Festival more accessible to you, please contact us via the email fot@eastsidepeople.org.

I bought a ticket/weekly pass to the Festival of Trusteeship 2024. Will I be able to use it?

Yes. We will honour any tickets and weekly passes bought from Getting on Board for the Festival of Trusteeship 2024. We will be contacting all ticket holders with details of how to access this year’s event.

How much will the tickets cost?

Tickets to the Festival of Trusteeship 2025 are priced as follows: Early bird weekly pass: £24 (incl VAT) Weekly pass: £30 (incl VAT) Individual events: £12 (incl VAT) Post event recordings box set for non-ticket holders (£30). All sessions for aspiring trustees are free of charge.

Organised by

Early bird discount
£12 – £30