Board Governance
As CEO, your relationship with the board isn’t just about reporting—it’s about leadership.
A strong, strategically aligned board partnership can accelerate organizational success, while a misaligned one can slow progress and drain momentum. That’s why developing trusted, effective relationships with your board chairperson and individual board members is one of the most critical aspects of your role.
Board Governance
As CEO, your relationship with the board isn’t just about reporting—it’s about leadership.
A strong, strategically aligned board partnership can accelerate organizational success, while a misaligned one can slow progress and drain momentum. That’s why developing trusted, effective relationships with your board chairperson and individual board members is one of the most critical aspects of your role.
Our Board Governance Strategies service helps CEOs build high-functioning board relationships that support bold vision and strategic execution.
We help you navigate board dynamics with intention—clarifying how members communicate, what they value, and how they define success—so you can engage with influence and lead with confidence.
Just as important is how your executive team shows up in the boardroom. When your leaders are well-prepared, poised, and persuasive, it reinforces the board’s trust in your leadership. We support CEOs in preparing their teams for high-stakes board interactions, ensuring clarity, alignment, and executive presence across every presentation and exchange.
Whether you’re working with a new board, managing complex interpersonal dynamics, or preparing for a major organizational shift, we provide confidential, strategic guidance to help you lead from the front—and strengthen your impact where it matters most.
Let’s talk about how to elevate your board relationships. Contact us to learn how we can support your leadership at the governance level.
Client Experience
Turning Intimidation into Inspiration: A CEO’s Leadership Turnaround
Challenge
Andrew, a first-time CEO of a mid-sized pharmaceutical company, was driven and results-oriented—but his struggles with anger management created a toxic environment. Team members often left interactions with him feeling dismissed or verbally abused. While the board remained unaware of the issue due to Andrew’s professional demeanor in formal settings, the company’s culture had grown increasingly demoralized and stagnant.
Coaching Approach
Leaders by Design was brought in to assess the situation and coach Andrew. The process began with a comprehensive evaluation, including confidential conversations with Andrew’s direct reports and select board members. The coach then collaborated with the board chair to plan a sensitive yet direct pre-meeting strategy for confronting Andrew.
Key Insight
The pivotal realization was that Andrew’s behavior was not only damaging team morale but also stalling the company’s performance. His leadership style—unchecked and unexamined—posed a risk to the organization’s future and could no longer be ignored.
Intervention
A facilitated three-way meeting between the board chair, Andrew, and the coach surfaced the issues directly. The conversation focused on the consequences of his behavior and the urgency for change. A development plan was presented and accepted, with Andrew agreeing to work with the coach and hold regular accountability sessions with the chair.
Outcome
With structured support, clear expectations, and regular follow-ups, Andrew began to adopt a more constructive leadership style. His behavior improved, the workplace environment stabilized, and the company regained its forward momentum—preserving both Andrew’s position and the company’s culture.