I easily recall the 2008/2009 global financial crisis. I had worked in financial services for over two decades and I saw the growing risk profile in the United States, particularly related to consumer debt and … Read More
What to Read (and Listen to) in 2020
It’s one of my favourite times of the year! Now is when I get to share my recommendations on what to read and listen to as we head into the new year. I would love … Read More
The Best Boards Have Term Limits
It surprises me how many boards have not established term limits. They are consistently utilized on Fortune 500 company boards. They are also becoming more and more common on not-for-profit boards. In my experience, it … Read More
Re-inventing Myself and My Career
One of the main contributors to my move away from a corporate lifestyle to what I’m doing today was that I was asked for assistance. At first, a few people I knew, who recognized my … Read More
Trust Between the CEO and Board Chair Trumps All
The CEO and board chair relationship is the most important relationship in the company. I have seen chairs and CEOs who disagree, who have had to navigate their way to a common strategy, who have sought my advice in approaching a sensitive situation with the other, and in all cases, they have a foundation of trust.
Attributes of High-Performing Boards
When I think of some of the high-performing boards that I’ve worked with, there’s a great diversity of thought, so much so that the board mindset is rich with experience. It’s rich with differing opinions. … Read More
The Case for the Pursuit of Less
Has our world become exponentially more complex? Are we exhibiting change at an unprecedented rate? Some would say yes; I do not agree. My mother-in-law, who lived to almost 100, experienced and thrived with new … Read More
Accountability: Leaving Nothing Unsaid
So often my clients come to me and say, “My CFO (or CIO or team member) is not quite meeting my expectations.” They continue, explaining how the CFO is a great person who’s been with … Read More
When Directors are Split on an Issue
A few years ago, I was asked to assist a board of directors to resolve what they considered an intractable issue…
