Presentation

Breaking the Operational Trap: A Strategic Reset for Boards

Joel Rauer

Director, Non-Executive Director & Deputy Chair, CBRE, MADEC & Women & Children First

Joel Rauer is a sought-after presenter, multi-accredited trainer, seasoned Director and Non-Executive Director with experience in both the public and private sector. At present Joel is a Director within the Pacific Property Management Business of global property firm CBRE and Non-Executive Director & Treasurer of MADEC & Non-Executive Director & Deputy Chairperson of Women & Children First. Joel also holds multiple committee positions within these organisations. He is also a past board Director and Deputy Chairperson of Girl Guides South Australia.

Joel is a member and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds tertiary qualifications in Economics, Property and an MBA. He brings expertise gained from his roles within notable national and international property firms and has achieved success focusing on collaborating and leading board's strategic focus, realignment and critical thinking of overall better decision making and organisation success.

Boards exist to shape the future, yet too often they are trapped in the present. In today’s volatile, fast-changing environment, many boards and executive teams find themselves consumed by operational details - risk registers, compliance, and performance metrics - while the true driver of long-term success, strategy, is sidelined. This operational bias doesn’t just dilute governance; it erodes resilience, growth and leaves organisations vulnerable to disruption and possible decline.

This session is a wake-up call. It challenges the status quo and provides a practical road-map for boards to reclaim their strategic role and become catalysts for transformation. We’ll uncover why strategic thinking is overshadowed, the hidden risks this creates, and how boards can realign their focus to deliver sustainable impact.

Attendees will learn how to distinguish between operational oversight and strategic governance, identify early warning signs of ‘operational drift,’ and apply proven frameworks to elevate strategic conversations in the boardroom. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, this session will equip directors and executives with tools to: \

Reframe board agendas to prioritise the ‘strategy’ and long-term outcomes.
Foster a culture of forward-looking governance and strategic balance.
Align organisational purpose with actionable strategy in a volatile environment.

If your board wants to move beyond firefighting and compliance to become a true strategic powerhouse and market leader, this session will show you how - and why it matters now more than ever.

<< Back to program

Master the art of the boardroom

Receive the Better Boards Newsletter

Sign up to the Better Boards Newsletter for regular content for directors and CEOs of NFP organisations, receive articles, conference information and webinar notices.

Join the Better Boards Newsletter