High Performance Boards
Description
When practising good governance, the board is the vital driver of organizational success, while fostering positive social impact and economic value creation. At all levels, executives around the world are faced with complexities rising from disruptive business models, new technologies, socio-economic changes, shifting political circumstances, and an array of other sources. High Performance Boards is the comprehensive manual for attaining best-in-class governance, offering pragmatic guidance on improving board quality, accountability, and performance.
This authoritative volume identifies the four dimensions, or pillars, which are crucial for establishing and maintaining best-practice boards: the people involved, the information architecture, the structures and processes, and the group dynamics and culture of governance. This methodology can be applied to any board in the world, corporate or non-profit organization, regardless of size, sector, industry, or context. Readers are introduced to a fictitious senior board member - an amalgamation of board members from well-known organisations - and follow her as she successfully handles real-life challenges with effective governance. Drawn from the author's 20 years of practice and confidential work with boards across the world, this book:
* Demonstrates how high-performance boards innovate and refine their practices
* Discusses examples of board failures and challenges, including case studies from both for-profit and non-profit organisations including international organizations and state-owned agencies or even ministries
* Provides a proven framework to create best-in-class governance
* Includes a companion website featuring tools for board assessment and board practice
High Performance Boards has inspired more than 3000 board members around the world. This book is essential reading for professionals and managers interested in governance and board members, senior managers, investors, lawyers, and students of governance.
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Person
Didier works with asset owners, government officials, central bankers, boards and senior leaders to provide the latest thinking on best-in-class governance, board effectiveness, the governance of investments, board dynamics and strategy design. He favors an adaptive and interactive approach to finding distinctive solutions for organisations on a wide range of governance topics. His latest research focuses on stewardship, how we can foster organisations to have long-term positive social impact while creating economic value for all. His past research has dealt with optimising governance in critical decision-making situations (large investments, key personnel changes, M&As, strategic turnarounds and organisational threats). Didier also supports some leading non-profit organisations at fine-tuning their governance for impact.
Content
"It is a reasonable assumption that successful boards will share some common characteristics, as will failing boards. The challenge is to identify these factors before success or failure occur. This book, evidently based on Didier Cossin's years of experience with boards around the world, goes a long way in doing so. The Four Pillars of Board Effectiveness will be an inspiration for many boards and their directors, as they consider how they can further strengthen their governance, enhance their effectiveness and ensure their success."
- Paul Bulcke, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nestlé S.A. (Switzerland); Vice-Chairman, Board of Directors, L'Oréal (France); Member, J.P. Morgan International Council
"Didier is one of the true leaders in academia on governance, with extensive practical experience from his engagement with many management teams and boards across the world. His Four Pillars of Board Effectiveness offers a simple yet practical approach to making the most out of the boardroom."
- Robert Maersk Uggla, CEO, A.P. Møller Holding A/S
An important distillation of Didier Cossin's insight and expertise on effective governance. As a long-time follower of his work, I am glad to see Prof Cossin publish this comprehensive guidebook to governance that transcends both geography and sectors. From stewardship of strategic objectives, to managing and structuring risk, the importance of board diversity and more, the lessons are at once practical and essential for any board member.
- Peter Maurer is the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross
"It is inspiring to read Professor Cossin's monograph, High Performance Boards. His conclusion for board governance - the Four Pillars of Board Effectiveness is classical, profound and impressive. The full time Non-Executive Directorship has enhanced the effectiveness of state-owned and -affiliated financial institutions in China. However, the Four Pillars remain the direction for us to achieve better performance and successful transformation just as all other organizations."
- Xueling Huang, Deputy Head, Comprehensive Management Department of Central Huijin Investment Ltd, China Investment Corporation; Executive Director, Central Huijin Asset Management Ltd
"This is the bedside book any board member should read and reread. Building on his extensive and deep experience, Didier pragmatically helps us to challenge our ways of interacting around the board table and establish a multi-dimensional frame in order to foster the best decision making. Every page calls into question one's practice and pushes each of us to avoid biases and revisit his/her ways of thinking for the ultimate benefit of the company."
- Barbara Dalibard, Lead Independent and Chair of Compensation and Appointments Committee, Michelin Group
"Educational and refreshing to the brain, where page after page relate to something one has experienced. The themes are wrapped up and packaged in a very practical way. Overall, it is not a book to read once then shelve, it is something that directors need to read from time to time to ensure protection from drifting with personal habits."
- H.E. Abdulsalam Mohammed Al Murshidi, President, State General Reserve Fund of Oman
"Professor Cossin has got it spot on. His four-pillared 'temple' of board effectiveness is brought to life with the boardroom adventures of Joanne Marker. Indeed his construct has two outer buttresses that centre around people. Their quality, focus, dedication and also how they interact with each other dynamically to produce a governance culture of excellence. One hopes that right-minded and passionate directors or would-be directors will read this book and say 'I want to be a John or Joanne Marker when I grow up!'"
- Teo Swee Lian, Chairwoman, CapitaLand Mall Trust; Board Member of AIA, Singtel and Dubai Financial Services Authority; former Deputy Managing Director Monetary Authority of Singapore
"This book offers a complete and enlightening review of current board governance practices and challenges. The approach and framework it offers are as pertinent in the east as in the west in establishing high performing boards."
- Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman, ACR Capital Holdings Pte Ltd; Board Member of GIC, Singapore and Grab Holdings, Singapore; Chairman of the National University of Singapore and National Gallery of Singapore
"The foundation of High Performance Boards is set in the Values and Character of its members. Didier brings this critical point front and center."
- Ann M. Fudge, former Chairwoman and CEO, Young & Rubicam Brands; Board Member of Novartis and Northrop Grumman Corporation, US; Chairwoman, WGBH Public Media, US
"Professor Cossin has developed the concept of board effectiveness based on his latest research. Intellectually stimulating, this book provides practical guidance to cope with unique challenges associated with governance of institutions. This book is therefore a must-read for board directors of companies, governmental organizations and NGOs."
- Kumiko Matsuura-Mueller, Chairwoman of the United Nations Federal Credit Union (USA)
"Didier Cossin brings huge direct experience to bear in his fascinating analysis of what makes a good board. Integrity, hard work, collegiality and independence of judgment matter hugely as personal attributes of board members as does a collective ability to focus on strategy, management support and risk in all its forms matters at the board level itself. And if that sounds easier said than done, read this book. This board member felt wiser and more daunted by the end."
- Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, Chairman, SGO (UK); Board Member of Investec, Seplat Petroleum and Kerogen; former Deputy Secretary-General and Chief of Staff, United Nations; former Minister of State in the Foreign Office
"Board work is demanding. Good governance requires a personal sense of accountability and responsibility from all involved. Didier's work with boards of different organizations in many jurisdictions has helped him author this practical guide that will be of great support to chairs, board members and board secretaries alike."
- Beat W. Hess, Chairman, LafargeHolcim (Switzerland); Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Nestlé S.A
"Didier Cossin's book explains how Governance can be a key factor for companies' success. It's a must-read for all board members!"
- Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman, Société Générale; Board Member, TAGES Holding
"What impressed me most is the comprehensive coverage of every aspect of board work in a way that is solidly grounded in every day's practice in boardrooms around the world. As such, the book is a must read for every aspiring board member, but also has a lot to offer for even the most seasoned board member with a curiosity for learning and continuous improvement."
- Gerard Kleisterlee, Chairman, Vodafone Group Plc; Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director, Royal Dutch Shell; Chairman, ASML
"Creating a culture of exchanges and constructive challenges among the board remains one of the most inspiring roles for a Chairman. Making sure that members feel accountable for the sustainable success of the firm must be the overarching purpose guiding this inspiration."
- Michel M. Liès, Chairman, Zurich Insurance; Board Member, Institute of International Finance (IIF)
"The book is a comprehensive and practical guide to key issues relevant for all boards aiming to improve their decision-making processes. There are many useful takeaways on how to increase the dynamics in the boardroom."
- Olaug Svarva, Chairwoman, DNB ASA (Norway); Chairwoman, Norfund; Board Member of Investinor and Institute of International Finance (IIF)
"Thank you, Dr Cossin. Board members needed this book for a long time. This work will assist board members to understand their responsibilities better."
- H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad bin Saif Al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas, Sultanate of Oman; Chairman, Petroleum Development Oman; Chairman, OQ; Board Member, SGRF
"This book offers valuable insights on what it takes to be an effective board. It facilitates a deeper understanding of the range of challenges and dilemmas that boards are faced with and offers guidance and best practices for how these might be addressed. Didier's elucidation of board structures, processes and culture as key elements of quality board interaction and decision-making is timely and instructive. The checklist at the end of each chapter is a useful reminder of the many dimensions of board effectiveness and provides a quick tool for self-evaluation. This book is essential reference for boards navigating through today's era of uncertainty and greater operational complexity, with the attendant new areas of potential risks and accountabilities."
- Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Chairwoman, Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia; former Chairwoman, Securities Commission of Malaysia
"I have known Didier Cossin for 14 years. He has always been close by during my executive and supervisory careers. The experience he has built, through academic...
