Customer Reviews

Inside the Boardroom: How Boards Really Work and the Coming Revolution in Corporate Governance

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The book covers the big picture but delves deeply into a very broad range of special topics concerning board structure, roles, best practices, effective functioning, board member types, and approaches and techniques for building a better board.

What distinguishes this work is that it is based on the study of boards of directors of 29 private, for-profit, 4 government owned, and 6 not-for-profit organizations. Moreover, it provides many features, in addition to insightful discussion, such as: a model job description for the board chair; a Director Competency Matrix Analysis used to recruit board members; 15 questions to assess whether a board is effective at strategy development, and many other highly practical tables, examples, and methods.

This is an outstanding work that will be of value to board members, directors, and executives, as well as students and researchers. Very highly recommended.

It is fascinating to glimpse the habits and practises of others when they don't realise that they are being watched. In this remarkable book Richard Leblanc gives first hand accounts of his observations during a five-year study of real board meetings in 29 commercial companies, 6 not-for- profit organisations and 4 government owned enterprises.

The "fly on the wall" observations are backed up by rigorous scientific analysis of the behaviours and personality types of the various directors and chairmen. These are categorised into ten basic sets of behaviours; each categorised as either effective or ineffective and each juxtaposed with the others to create either a winning boardroom team or a bunch of losers.

Leblanc concludes that it is not the structure of the board that determines board performance, although some structures are easier to work within, but the behaviours of individual directors and the way they meld as a team. Some of his observations are painstakingly accurate and painfully recognisable from your own boardroom experience. The clarity and simplicity are seductive. They almost drive you towards categorising every boardroom colleague you have (and a few that you haven't!!). Fortunately, a professional diagnostic program has now followed the book to support boards brave enough to take up the gauntlet that this challenging book throws down.

Another useful aspect of the book are the succinct job descriptions for all the usual boardroom protagonists with recommendations of the personality and behaviour types that these must exhibit to be effective in their roles.

This is a meaty book, packed with new insights and useful observations. People that have heard Leblanc speak on the topic will miss his energetic and forthright delivery; this is a measured, solidly researched book based on a lengthy process of empirical observation. It is not an easy read but will enhance the effectiveness of any director who makes the required investment.

As Dr. Nadler suggests, Inside the Boardroom does contribute substantially to the subject of corporate governance. It is a very important study that focuses primarily on the private sector. The book is very well prepared. However, if you want to peer inside the boardroom and gain a perspective of another active leader in corporate governance in the public sector, I strongly suggest that you read Compliance and Conviction: The Evolution of Enlightened Corporate Governance by Curtis J. Crawford, Ph.D. In his book, Dr. Crawford discusses why and who should care about corporate governance. Further, he provides a historical perspective on the topic. This book focuses on succession planning, chief executive officer (CEO) supervision, executive compensation, and director independence. It is a great read.