From the Inside Flap
The role of the chairman of the board is unlike any other in the modern corporation, one that requires a simultaneous grasp of the big and small picture. The chairman exerts extraordinary influence over the strategic direction of the company, yet at the same time must manage the delicate relationships and critical business of the board of directors. Remarkably, precious little research has been conducted into the nature of chairmanship, and most chairmen are forced to learn on the job, with no training or formal preparation. Writing primarily for new chairmen, chairmen of small to midsize businesses, and chairmen in the nonprofit sector, while also offering practical guidance to seasoned leaders of major corporations, Brian Lechem provides a fascinating look at the essential duties of this pivotal role in Chairman of the Board: A Practical Guide.
As companies become more and more international and accountability requirements increasingly stringent, the chairman of the board must confront a constantly evolving array of risks and responsibilities. Lechem identifies a chairman's four primary functions:
* Concentrate on strategic leadership, focusing on an appropriate and realistic vision
* Ensure that the board is constituted with a good blend of skills, experience, and business competence
* Guarantee that the corporation has the policies, procedures, and resources in place to achieve its goals
* Monitor the achievement of these goals and ensure that the board is provided with the appropriate information it needs to be effective
Lechem offers practical advice on matters such as how to work with the CEO, ethical considerations, corporate social responsibility, and performance evaluation of boards and board members. He discusses key regulatory issues and legal exposures the board must address in an increasingly litigious society and addresses the thorny problem of board disagreement and dissent-the moment "management" is tossed aside and a chairman's "leadership" must take center stage.
Chairing a board of directors undoubtedly requires a host of intangible skills, but applying Brian Lechem's proven, practical guidelines will nevertheless give a chairman the best chance for success. Chairman of the Board is a must-read for any professional who aspires to the peak of his or her profession.
From the Back Cover
Praise for Chairman of the Board
"Board chairmen will find Brian Lechem's book an excellent resource for addressing the issues that arise from the ongoing role of the chairman in managing the governance systems of their corporations."
-Peter Dey
Chairman
Toronto Stock Exchange Committee on Corporate Governance in Canada
Partner
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
"Brian Lechem is the first authority to define a chair's role in a timely and very readable book-Chairman of the Board: A Practical Guide. As chair of two publicly traded companies and one not-for-profit, I find that there is little 'guiding hand' advice. I would highly recommend chairs of all boards, and those aspiring to the office, to read this book."
-Jon K. Grant
Chairman of the Board
CCL Industries Inc., Laurentian Bank of Canada, and the Canadian Canoe Museum
"Chairman of the Board is much more than a practical guide for chairs. It is a well-written, thoughtful review of the myriad problems facing everyone with responsibility for the governance of an organization."
-James Gillies
Professor Emeritus
Schulich School of Business
