Tools for Adopting
Recommendations

Commission Recommendations

Associated Tools 

1. Assess current board culture and 
intentionally define the desired state. 

• Starting the Dialogue on Board Culture: 
  A Discussion Guide 
• Establishing Cultural Norms and Behaviors
• Examples of Disclosures Related to Board Culture

2. Agree on behavioral norms that support a clear delineation of board and management authority.

• Improving Board-Management Relations: 
  Tips for Effective Meeting Engagement 

3. Periodically diagnose and, when 
needed, refine board culture to ensure it is fit for purpose in a dynamic business environment. 

• Starting the Dialogue on Board Culture: 
  A Discussion Guide 
• Establishing Cultural Norms and Behaviors 

Commission Recommendations

Associated Tools 

4. Clarify the roles and responsibilities of the designated board leaders in reinforcing (and changing) board culture.

• Model Attributes of Board Leaders
• Tactics for Board Relationship Building 

5. Assign primary ownership of board 
culture-related processes to the 
nominating and governance committee. 

• Tactics for Board Relationship Building
• Setting Expectations About Director Behavior 
• Guide to Inclusive Director Onboarding 
• Approaches to Strengthening Committee and 
  Full-Board Evaluations
• Model Individual Director Evaluation

6. Build inclusive recruitment and 
onboarding practices to effectively integrate new directors into the boardroom and its culture. 

• Setting Expectations About Director Behavior
• Managing Biases to Improve Board Culture 
• Guide to Inclusive Director Onboarding

7. Ensure that board evaluations assess the performance and behaviors of individual 
directors and their roles. 

• Approaches to Strengthening Committee and 
  Full-Board Evaluations 
• Model Individual Director Evaluation

Commission Recommendations

Associated Tools 

8. Commit to addressing unhealthy behaviors and dynamics (group and individual), including problematic directors. 

• Guidance for Boards on Identifying and 
  Addressing Problematic Behaviors 
• Guidance for Dissenting Directors

9. Destigmatize the decision of individual 
directors to leave a leadership position or 
to off-board.

• Assessing the Impact of Director Compensation 
  on Board Culture and Agility

10. Strive for consensus in key board decisions but recognize the value of rigorous debate. 

• Improving Board-Management Relations: 
  Tips for Effective Meeting Engagement 
• Tactics for Board Relationship Building 
• Managing Biases to Improve Board Culture