2025 Private Company Board Practices Oversight Survey

Data Pack: Board-CEO Relationship

08/26/2025

 

Which of the following actions has the CEO taken in the past 12 to 18 months to strengthen their relationship with the board?

 

Actions

Value 

Openly discussed challenges, failures, or struggles

78.41%

Utilized directors as a “sounding board” for key decisions or challenges

62.50%

Increased one-on-one outreach to directors

42.05%

Clarified their needs regarding the board’s role and support

36.36%

Discussed sensitive topics such as personal well-being with the board

35.23%

Increased the frequency of communication to the board

34.09%

Provided input on the board's composition

32.95%

Offered constructive feedback to the board or individual directors

22.73%

Other

1.14%

None – the CEO has not taken action to strengthen its relationship with the board in the past 12 to 18 months

3.41%

 

n=88

 

This table comes from the Board-CEO Relationship section of the 2025 NACD Private Company Board Practices and Oversight Survey.