Navigating the First Year: A Guide for New Directors

In brief: Every director has a first directorship—and a first board meeting. How can a director prepare? This guide summarizes practical advice from experienced directors in the form of four cornerstones of learning—environment, company, board dynamics, and director role—and provides four appendices:

• An onboarding checklist for board leaders
• Sample peer-assessment and self-assessment tool
• Sample public company disclosure on onboarding
• Checklist for the new director

This publication also includes links to many useful references.

Most relevant audiences: First-time directors, board chairs, lead directors, nominating and governance committee chairs, general counsel, corporate secretaries, directors