Director Essentials
Oversight of the Independent Auditor
Understand the practicalities of working with an audit firm for effective financial oversight.
Governance Resources
Director FAQ and Essentials
Essential Information and Answers for Effective Board Leadership
Governance Research
- Blue Ribbon Commission Reports
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Director FAQs and Essentials
- Director’s Handbooks
- Outlook and Challenges
Governance Surveys
Directorship Magazine
Explore Key Reports & Boardroom FAQs
Understanding the ins and outs of the essential facts on board governance can be challenging, which is why directors need accurate information; the right information; and direct, straightforward answers to general, common questions. The “Director FAQ & Essentials” page is a go-to boardroom resource for crucial insights into the roles and responsibilities of the director. Use this guide to enhance the leadership and governance expertise that will help organizations succeed.
Featured Report
Director Essentials: Running the Family Business Board
Discover practical steps family business boards can take to improve culture, structure, and oversight.
Explore Recent Director Essentials Reports
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Director Essentials
Strengthening the Family Business Board
Discover how family business boards evolve to balance legacy and governance.
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Director Essentials
Implementing AI Governance
Learn how boards can oversee AI strategy, risk, and technology competency in ways that improve their oversight responsibilities and operations while supporting deployment of AI technologies within their organizations.
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Director Essentials
Board and Director Evaluations
Enhance the board evaluation process with tangible action steps and approaches.
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Director Essentials
Directors & Officers Liability Insurance
A report that provides the knowledge needed to make informed decisions regarding director and officer liability in a changing environment.
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Director Essentials
Ethics and Compliance Oversight
Explore the nine key steps necessary for board oversight of ethics and compliance.
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Director Essentials
Succession Planning for Board and Committee Leaders
Learn four steps that boards can take to strengthen their leadership succession planning processes and practices.
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Director Essentials
Board Communications: Documentation and Retention Practices
Implement sound document retention practices for board communications—both inside and outside the boardroom.
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Director Essentials
Board Leadership Structures
Consider the pros and cons of the various types of board leadership structures, including independent chair, combined CEO/chair, executive chair, and nonindependent chair.
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Director Essentials
Advisory Boards
Leverage these groups of experts when you want to bring specialized expertise and insights to your organization.
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Director Essentials
Board Packs: The Elephant in the Boardroom
Turn board materials into a driver of board and organizational performance.
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Director Essentials
Executive Sessions
Help your board set regularly scheduled executive sessions, keep the CEO informed about significant outcomes from executive sessions, and improve the effectiveness of executive sessions.
Director Essentials and FAQ Report Library
Continue exploring insights on essential boardroom topics.
Registration Now Open for
NACD Directors Summit™ 2026
Register Early and Save $2,000
October 11-14, 2026
The Gaylord National Harbor | Washington, DC Area