MIT Sloan Management Review

1

What Boards Know That Companies Don’t

January 1, 2007

Over the past five years, we have conducted nearly 100 third-party reviews. (See “About the Research,” p. 72.) Approximately half of those reviews deployed a questionnaire organization has an appropriate process that was similar enough for us to extract data that, taken in aggregate, provide rich in-for appointing new board members. formation on various aspects of how a board typically functions.

With respect to board meetings and decision-making processes:

  • Almost all directors enjoy working with their board.
  • They also feel that interpersonal relations between board members are very good and that individual directors respect and value the contributions of their colleagues.
  • Board discussions are typically seen as candid and open, and the ensuing deliberations are viewed as being constructive.
  • The result: Board discussions tend to ultimately reach some kind of satisfactory closure.
  • However, only 70% of directors believe their colleagues come to board meetings well prepared.
  • Just 60% feel that all board members participate effectively at board meetings.
  • A similar percentage feel that management seeks to involve the board fully in key decisions.
  • And only two-thirds feel that the board is making good decisions.

With respect to director performance and succession:

  • Only 60% believe that the company is getting the best out of them as individual directors.
  • Just 55% believe that the board gets the best out of its nonexecutive directors.
  • Fewer than 30% believe their organization has an appropriate process for evaluating the... To read the complete article, login or sign-up using the form below.

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