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.
Governance Resources
Board Leadership
Committees & Roles
Governance Surveys
Center for Inclusive Governance
Featured Report
2025 Governance Outlook
Explore governance insights and forward-thinking strategies to help boards thrive amid rapid change with exclusive NACD survey findings and practical guidance from six partners.
Key Resources
Our staffʼs suggestions for the best on this topic.
Tools for Success
Practical tools, templates, and more to put into action at your next meeting.
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Boardroom Tool
Board Leadership Peer-Evaluation
Solicit feedback on the performance of individual directors who serve in leadership roles on the board.
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Boardroom Tool
Attributes of a Lead Director
Key attributes for lead directors as identified by KPMG through their Lead Director Initiative.
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Director FAQ
Board Leadership Structure: Split Versus Combined CEO/Chair
Explore the right leadership options for your board.
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Boardroom Tool
Board Calendar Sample
Schedule standing agenda items for the board.
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Boardroom Tool
Board Performance Evaluation Sample
Identify improvement areas for board governance and member contributions.
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Boardroom Tool
Setting Expectations About Director Behavior
Communicate desired behaviors and expectations for directors.
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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.
Explore All Board Leadership Content
Editorʼs Picks
A selection of editorial content from Directorship® magazine, including online exclusives.
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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.
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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.
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Online Article
A Director’s Responsibility to the CEO
Find out if your board is contributing to the functional performance of the CEO.
Trusted Resources
Links to key resources, regulators, rulemakers, and governance-specific context.
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Commentary
Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
Browse expert commentary on board leadership.
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Advice
Facilitating the Boardʼs Engagement in Strategy
Lead-director-centered insights on strategy planning from KPMG.
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Advice
Briefs from Farient Advisors
A primer from KPMG on the lead directorʼs role when something is uncertain.
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Commentary
Establishing Norms for Director Behavior to Enhance Board Culture and Effectiveness
Commentary from Sidleyʼs Holly Gregory on the power of shared standards of conduct.
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Perspectives
Framing the Future of Corporate Governance
Deloitteʼs framework for the modern corporate governance regime.
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Advice
Nose In, Fingers Out, and Ears to the Ground
Russell Reynoldsʼs look at the boardʼs increased focus on talent and HR oversight.