Power and the CEO –
Board Chair Relationship

Understand the Nature of Power to Effectively
Build Your Company or Organization

What causes a CEO and Board Chair to clash in a company or organization? What might the ensuing power struggle look like? How can it be remedied? How can a company or organization manage this sensitive relationship during times of strain?

What are the leadership characteristics of an effective Board Chair? Which leadership qualities does this person need to have in contrast to the characteristics required of the CEO? Who is the true leader of your company or organization – the Board Chair or the CEO – and how can these two people effectively share power in order for the company or organization to deliver maximum results? Which responsibilities lie with each person?

Does your board view the CEO as an ‘entrepreneur’ whose vision the board supports, or a ‘hired gun’ in charge of carrying out the board’s mandate? The way you answer this question will be pivotal in setting the parameters for the Board Chair-CEO relationship.

The Board Chair-CEO dynamic will be put on the table for you to dissect and examine so you can come up with more effective strategies to balance this delicate power relationship in your company or organization.

Session Learning Objectives

  • Participants will be able to:
  • 1 Identify and discuss some of the characteristics of power in companies and organizations and the implications for leadership.
  • 2 Discuss how to successfully navigate the delicate power relationship between the CEO and the Board Chair.
  • 3 Identify and describe more effective strategies to balance this delicate power relationship.
  • 4 Distinguish between the board view of the CEO as an ‘entrepreneur’ whose vision the board supports versus a ‘hired gun’ in charge of carrying out the board’s mandate.
  • 5 Understand how power influences the relationships between the CEO and board members.

Contact GLI if you would like us to help you customize
a leadership conference for your company or organization.