
The responsibility here is for the board chair to align committee work with the vision and mission of the company. To stay in the loop on committee work, the board chair typically serves as ex-officio member of all committees. The board chair makes recommendations for committee chairs and seeks approval from fellow board directors. The bulk of board work happens in committees. The board chair also typically participates in annual board member orientation, onboarding and development.

This duty includes expecting and encouraging all board members to be actively engaged. The board chair needs to facilitate board meetings in such a way that the board can do its own work.
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The board chair also needs to develop a strong relationship with the board directors. It’s crucial that the board chair doesn’t usurp the CEO’s authority or overstep the CEO’s role. Board chairs must also be mindful that their roles are vastly different from the CEO’s responsibilities. Both parties work best together when the board chair maintains an open-door policy in order to keep the lines of communication open. The board chair needs to be willing to ask the CEO the hard, probing questions that come from the board, and be willing to work in tandem with the CEO during times of crisis. Working collaboratively, the board chair helps the CEO to translate the board’s strategic plans into action. In a mutually beneficial relationship, the board chair acts as a mentor and advisor to the CEO. Most people who serve as board chair are keenly aware that they need to develop a trusted relationship with the CEO and other executives.
LIST OF BOARDS AND BEYOND VIDEOS FULL
The role of board chair is an influential position on an executive committee and the full board to drive the agenda and to identify priorities. Many corporations find that the most efficient way to govern is to form an executive committee that acts as a steering committee to prioritize issues for the full board. It’s critical for the board chair to set a tone for the meeting that sets the stage for respect, collaboration and decision-making. During meetings, the board chair guides the rest of the board by focusing on the organization’s vision, mission and strategic direction. Under the umbrella of board chair, the person selected for this position helps the corporate secretary to write the agenda, which is used as a tool for facilitating board meetings efficiently. Experienced board chairs know that they must develop solid relationships with the board directors, the CEO, managers, the corporate secretary and committees in order to lead effectively. To this end, the board chair serves as an ex-officio member of all committee meetings. The board chair needs to stay in the loop of all board activities. The board chair also serves as the direct liaison between the board and management. The primary role of the board chair is to lead and guide the rest of the board. Roles and Responsibilities of the Board Chairīoard chairs interact with nearly everyone in the organization, so it’s essential that the board selects a person to fill the role who can meet the strong expectations of this role.


> See “How Board Directors Can Lead the Digital Transformation in the Boardroom” WhitepaperHere’s a basic rundown on the roles and responsibilities of every corporation’s major players. Corporations get maximum results when everybody works together, from the entry-level employees to the C-suite executives and the board of directors. Boards should allow for some flexibility as the corporation’s needs change. Roles need to be evaluated periodically, especially during times of drastic change or growth, so that the overall design continues to meet the needs of the organization. Well-defined role definitions and responsibilities are a good way to keep everyone in their own lanes. Each organization does well to customize the roles according to their needs. In a perfect corporate world, there shouldn’t be any gaps or overlaps. The duties and responsibilities for C-suite level executives and senior-level managers are usually outlined within the written job description for the role.Ĭlear communication and expectations for transparency are prime factors in effective collaboration within every role of a corporation. The organization’s bylaws typically outline the duties for the board, board chair, corporate secretary, general counsel and committees. As board directors and managers fulfill the specified duties and responsibilities according to the purpose of the role, the role supports its designated purpose.Ībove all, duties and responsibilities need to be clearly defined. Each role was designed to manage a specific purpose within the organization. From the bottom to the top, every role within a corporation comes with distinct definitions, responsibilities and duties.
