Enhancing the Board’s Role as Strategic Advisor

Complementing the guidance of the 2025 NACD Blue Ribbon Commission Report on Building a High-Trust Board-CEO Relationship, this boardroom tool provides practical guidance for implementing Recommendation #8: Maximize the board’s value as a strategic advisor to the CEO.

How to use this tool: This tool outlines actions that directors and CEOs can take to unlock the value of the board as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO—offering input and guidance on matters within management’s delegated authority—while balancing the board’s governance and oversight roles.

Below are actions that boards and CEO can take to (1) clarify the board’s role as a strategic advisor, (2) prepare and enable the board to fulfill the role, and (3) effectively execute the board’s strategic advisory responsibilities.

Board Guidance

1. Clarify the board’s role as a strategic advisor.

• Calibrate expectations of the board’s role to ensure its focus remains on oversight and does not overstep into management’s lane. However, the board can step into the advisor role at the CEO’s request on issues delegated to management.
• Develop and maintain a board culture with norms for collaboration with the board and executive team, emphasizing constructive dialogue and strategic input.
• Clarify a unified vision and metrics to ensure the board and CEO are aligned on what success looks like—in the company’s mission, financial performance, and values.
• Focus on assisting the CEO in maintaining the long-term strategy for a resilient organization, especially when nearing key decisions.