Board-CEO Relations: Strengthening Collaboration

Duration: 7 Days
Target Audience: Board members, CEOs, senior executives involved in governance
Certificate: Certificate of Completion in Board-CEO Collaboration
Format: Hybrid (Online/In-Person)

Day 1: Understanding Roles and Responsibilities in Board-CEO Relations

• Objective: Clarify the distinct roles of the board and the CEO to create a foundation for effective collaboration.

Topics:

• Roles and Responsibilities of the Board vs. the CEO

• Balancing Oversight and Support in Governance

• Establishing Clear Boundaries and Expectations

• Interactive Session: Assessing the clarity of roles within participants’ organizations

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Overview of board and CEO responsibilities in corporate governance

• Case Study: Examples of successful role clarification in governance structures

• Workshop: Participants discuss and assess role clarity in their own organizations

Day 2: Building Trust and Transparency

• Objective: Explore the importance of trust and transparency in fostering a collaborative relationship between the board and CEO.

Topics:

• Key Elements of Trust in Board-CEO Relations

• Transparency in Communication and Reporting

• Setting Up Regular, Open Communication Channels

• Interactive Session: Designing a trust-building strategy for the board and CEO

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Best practices for establishing trust and open communication

• Case Study: Organizations with high-trust board-CEO relationships

• Group Work: Participants develop a trust and transparency action plan for their governance teams

Day 3: Communication and Information Sharing

• Objective: Learn effective communication strategies and the importance of timely, accurate information sharing between the board and CEO.

Topics:

• Establishing Effective Communication Protocols

• Information Sharing and Reporting Practices

• Avoiding Information Overload: Focusing on What Matters

• Interactive Session: Designing a communication framework for board-CEO relations

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Communication techniques and best practices for governance teams

• Case Study: Boards and CEOs that have optimized communication for decision-making

• Workshop: Participants create a tailored communication protocol for their organizations

Day 4: Aligning on Vision, Strategy, and Values

• Objective: Ensure alignment on the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities between the board and CEO.

Topics:

• The Importance of Vision and Strategic Alignment

• Shared Values as a Foundation for Collaboration

• Strategy Sessions: Aligning on Key Initiatives and Goals

• Interactive Session: Conducting a strategy alignment exercise

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Importance of strategic and value alignment in board-CEO relations

• Case Study: Organizations that achieved success through strategic alignment

• Group Exercise: Participants work on aligning vision and values within a hypothetical scenario

Day 5: Performance Evaluation and Feedback for the CEO

• Objective: Establish effective performance evaluation and feedback mechanisms to support the CEO’s growth and alignment with board expectations.

Topics:

• Best Practices for CEO Performance Evaluation

• Providing Constructive Feedback and Coaching

• Aligning CEO Goals with Organizational Objectives

• Interactive Session: Designing a CEO evaluation and feedback process

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Techniques for evaluating and supporting CEO performance

• Case Study: Examples of effective CEO evaluation processes

• Workshop: Participants design a performance evaluation framework for their CEOs

Day 6: Navigating Conflict and Difficult Conversations

• Objective: Develop skills for addressing and resolving conflicts between the board and CEO constructively.

Topics:

• Common Sources of Conflict in Board-CEO Relations

• Techniques for Conflict Resolution and Mediation

• Handling Difficult Conversations with Respect and Effectiveness

• Interactive Session: Role-playing board-CEO conflict scenarios

Learning Activities:

• Lecture: Conflict resolution techniques tailored to governance settings

• Case Study: How leading organizations managed board-CEO conflicts

• Role-Playing: Participants practice conflict resolution in simulated board-CEO scenarios

Day 7: Capstone Project: Developing a Board-CEO Collaboration Plan

• Objective: Synthesize course insights by developing a plan to enhance board-CEO collaboration tailored to participants’ organizations.

Topics:

• Crafting a Board-CEO Collaboration Roadmap

• Presenting Collaboration Plans to Peers

• Peer Review and Feedback

• Key Takeaways and Certificate Ceremony

Learning Activities:

• Capstone Project: Participants develop and present a collaboration plan for their board and CEO

• Peer Review: Teams provide constructive feedback on each other’s plans

• Certificate Ceremony: Award certificates of completion

Key Features of the Course:

• Expert Faculty: Taught by governance specialists, experienced CEOs, and board members with strong board-CEO relationship backgrounds.

• Interactive Learning: Includes case studies, role-playing exercises, and practical workshops tailored to real-world scenarios.

• Capstone Project: Participants leave with a customized plan for strengthening board-CEO relations.

• Certification: Recognized certificate of completion, demonstrating expertise in board-CEO collaboration.

Outcome:

Participants will learn the strategies and skills to strengthen board-CEO relationships, foster trust, align on strategic goals, and navigate challenges collaboratively for long-term organizational success