Resource Library

Although various studies show that boards with a more diverse membership offer a greater array of unique solutions and strategies, and typically outpace those with a less diverse body in regard to organizational growth, profitability and sustainability, reports continue to highlight that hospital boards are slow in meeting their diversity goals.

Using an effective, well-developed board self-assessment process can enhance governance performance.

These documents are based on CHP’s core values, the CHP board’s roles and responsibilities, and the expectations established for CHP’s board members. They may or may not fit other boards’ situations. Each board should adopt its own individual competencies and evaluation instrument. Reviewing others’ efforts is a helpful reference point, but no sample should be used without modification.

Board self‐evaluation is an important process. Surveys by The Governance Institute have shown that making self‐assessment a board priority is associated with high performing boards. Yet, amidst seemingly more important board business, it’s easy for self‐assessment to become a rote exercise.

While most organizations conduct annual board self-assessments, it seems that few boards actually use the results of those assessments to develop specific plans for improvement. According to PriceWaterhouseCooper’s 2017 Annual Corporate Directors Survey, board members’ dissatisfaction with their fellow trustees has reached an all-time high.

As the drumbeat of attention to governance effectiveness intensifies, the evaluation of individual directors is off-limits no more. Indeed, the New York Stock Exchange, Business Roundtable and National Association of Corporate Directors all recommend that corporate boards institute individual director assessment.

Complex and diverse health care orgs require boards with a range of knowledge, skills and behaviors that can address their needs and challenges.