Tool 1
Delegated Authority: Key Roles of the Board and Management
Define board and management roles for mutual trust and accountability.
2025 Blue Ribbon Commission Report
Recommendations for Action
Nine Recommendations for Building a High-Trust Board-CEO Relationship
The 2025 Blue Ribbon Commission's recommendations focus on strengthening the board-CEO relationship through three key steps: (1) building a foundation of trust, (2) operationalizing that trust, and (3) leveraging the trust for impact.
Recognizing the bilateral nature of this relationship, the Commission outlines actions for the full board, the board leader, individual directors, and CEOs. Implementation guidance for these recommendations is provided in the Toolkit for Action.
Many of the practices necessary to enhance the board-CEO relationship are not new. However, they demand renewed commitment, greater consistency, and thoughtful adaptation to today’s challenges. Boards and CEOs should carefully consider, prioritize, and adopt the actions that are most appropriate for their circumstances, recognizing that building a high-trust relationship is an ongoing, tailored process rather than a checklist of actions.
Build the Trust Foundation
Intentionally set the parameters of the collaborative and constructive partnership and revisit them regularly to reinforce mutual trust over time.
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Operationalize Trust
Embed trust-building activities into formal board processes and informal interactions to reinforce and sustain the established trust foundation.
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Leverage Trust for Strategic Impact
Maximize the board’s strategic value and strengthen the CEO’s confidence in the board.
Read MoreToolkit for Action
12 practical tools to implement the recommendations and strengthen the relationship.
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Tool 2
Aligning the CEO and Board Through Compensation
Strategic compensation decisions for the board throughout the CEO life cycle
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Tool 3
CEO’s Role in Executive Compensation Design
Align the role of the CEO and board on the approach to executive compensation.
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Tool 4
Case Study: Establishing Board-CEO Clarity and Trust
A blueprint to build a strong board-CEO relationship through shared expectations and candid dialogue
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Tool 5
Setting Strategy: A Road Map for the Board’s Engagement with Management
Enhance the board’s engagement in the strategy process through seven key steps.
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Tool 6
Independent Board Leader Archetype
Discover the essential qualities for effective independent board leadership—the linchpin of a healthy board-CEO dynamic.
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Tool 7
Red Flags in the Board-CEO Relationship
Benchmark your board-CEO relationship and turn red flags to green by strengthening communication, aligning goals, and more.
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Tool 8
Applying Board and CEO Evaluations to Improve the Relationship
Support the board-CEO relationship with behavior-focused annual evaluations.
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Tool 9
Executive Sessions Effectiveness Checklist
Three key steps to enhance executive sessions and support a strong board-CEO relationship
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Tool 10
Board’s Role in CEO Well-Being
Proactively support CEO well-being by establishing a culture of openness and trust.
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Tool 11
Enhancing the Board’s Role as Strategic Advisor
Unlock the board’s strategic value by balancing oversight with guidance on issues within management’s authority.
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Tool 12
Clean-Sheet Approach to Board Composition
Enhance the assessment of board composition and mapping of board skills to support alignment to CEO success.
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