Governance Resources

Board Leadership

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Committees & Roles

Core Oversight Topics

Private Company Governance Learning Series Webinar

Learn from private company leaders about how you can prepare the next generation of board leaders, develop robust succession plans, and manage generational transitions.

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Key Resources

Our staffʼs suggestions for the best on this topic.

- Director Essentials
  
  Succession Planning for Board and Committee Leaders
  
  Learn four steps that boards can take to strengthen their leadership succession planning processes and practices.
- Director Essentials
  
  Board Leadership Structures
  
  Consider the pros and cons of the various types of board leadership structures, including independent chair, combined CEO/chair, executive chair, and nonindependent chair.
- Boardroom Tool
  
  Boardroom Diplomacy: Mastering the Art of Difficult Conversations
  
  Directors can approach sensitive discussions with respect while acknowledging opposing viewpoints and focusing on the best interests of the organization.
- Director Essentials
  
  Board Packs: The Elephant in the Boardroom
  
  Turn board materials into a driver of board and organizational performance.
- Blue Ribbon Commission
  
  Culture as the Foundation: Building a High-Performance Board
  
  Learn how board leaders can be board culture carriers with practical recommendations and dedicated tools.
- Director Essentials
  
  Executive Sessions
  
  A board leaderʼs quick guide to the when, how, and why behind executive sessions.

Tools for Success

Practical tools, templates, and more to put into action at your next meeting.

- Boardroom Tool
  
  Board Leadership Peer-Evaluation
  
  Solicit feedback on the performance of individual directors who serve in leadership roles on the board.
- Boardroom Tool
  
  Attributes of a Lead Director
  
  Key attributes for lead directors as identified by KPMG through their Lead Director Initiative.
- Director FAQ
  
  Board Leadership Structure: Split Versus Combined CEO/Chair
  
  Explore the right leadership options for your board.
- Boardroom Tool
  
  Board Calendar Sample
  
  Schedule standing agenda items for the board.
- Boardroom Tool
  
  Board Performance Evaluation Sample
  
  Identify improvement areas for board governance and member contributions.
- Boardroom Tool
  
  Setting Expectations About Director Behavior
  
  Communicate desired behaviors and expectations for directors.
- Boardroom Tool
  
  Position Descriptions for Board Leadership Sample
  
  These position descriptions outline the key responsibilities and expectations for the board chair and lead independent director roles.

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Editorʼs Picks

A selection of editorial content from Directorship^® magazine, including online exclusives.

- ONLINE ARTICLE
  
  It's Time to Restore Balance in the Board-CEO Relationship
  
  Explore the high cost of CEO departures, emphasizing the need for boards to focus on building strong CEO relationships to reduce turnover & improve results.
- ONLINE ARTICLE
  
  Courage, Certainty, and Leading Through the Complex Currents of Relentless Change
  
  Peter R. Gleason, NACD president and CEO, details recent and upcoming initiatives as he gives his opening speech at NACD Summit 2023.
- Online Article
  
  A Director’s Responsibility to the CEO
  
  Find out if your board is contributing to the functional performance of the CEO.