Getting Ready to Govern
By Kathryn J. McDonagh
Don’t overlook the importance of CEO-board etiquette — it’s a pillar of good governance
The relationship between boards and chief executive officers can be fraught with challenges, and trustees often are unsure of how to handle certain delicate situations. But using a framework of etiquette can provide guidance. The Emily Post Institute notes that business etiquette promotes civility, relationship-building and customer service.That’s ideal for the trustee-CEO relationship because positive and constructive relations are essential for effective governance.
At two recent AHA Center for Healthcare Governance symposia, discussion groups, predominantly comprising board members and other senior leaders, explored some of the awkward trustee-CEO situations they had encountered and identified possible solutions.