What must directors avoid to ensure compliance with their duties?

To ensure compliance with their duties, directors must avoid conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest arises when a director's personal interests interfere, or appear to interfere, with their ability to act in the best interests of the company. Directors are expected to prioritize the company's interests above their own, maintaining loyalty and integrity in their decision-making processes.

Failure to recognize or manage a conflict of interest can lead to decisions that may not be in the best interest of the company or its shareholders, potentially resulting in legal repercussions or damage to the company's reputation. By proactively avoiding such conflicts, directors uphold their fiduciary duties and contribute to sound governance, thereby fostering trust among stakeholders.

Maintaining transparency in actions, communicating with the board, and being responsible to shareholders are all important aspects of a director's role, but they do not directly address the critical importance of avoiding conflicts of interest in order to adhere to their legal and ethical obligations.