How Boards Work: And How They Can Work Better in a Chaotic World

HOW BOARDS WORK is a book by Dambisa Moyo that provides an insider's view of corporate boards as they are buffeted by the turbulence of our times. It offers an urgent road map for how boards can steer companies through tomorrow's challenges and ensure they thrive to benefit their employees, shareholders, and society at large.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

The Financial Times has praised the book as "highly instructive" and "provides thoughtful analysis." It is a must-read for any prospective or sitting board member, according to Arianna Huffington, who describes it as "highly engaging" and an indispensable guide to how boards function, malfunction, and should operate better. Mohamed A. El-Erian, the CEO of PIMCO, also highly recommends the book, stating that corporate boards are under great pressure due to scandals and malpractice at companies like GE, Theranos, and WeWork. This has raised justified questions among regulators, shareholders, and the public about the quality of corporate governance. Boards are facing ever-louder demands to weigh in on questions of climate change, racial and gender equity, data privacy, and other social issues that range far beyond their traditional mandate, such as choosing the CEO and endorsing corporate strategy.

In response to these challenges, bestselling economist, veteran board director, and author Dambisa Moyo offers an insider's view of corporate boards in her book, HOW BOARDS WORK. Drawing on her decade of experience serving on corporate boards, Moyo provides a comprehensive analysis of what boards actually do and how they must adapt to survive the challenges of the coming years. She argues that corporations need boards that are more transparent, knowledgeable, diverse, and deeply involved in setting the strategic course of the companies they lead.

Moyo outlines several key recommendations for how boards can improve their effectiveness. She emphasizes the importance of board diversity, noting that boards with a mix of perspectives and backgrounds are better equipped to make informed decisions. She also suggests that boards should focus on long-term strategy rather than short-term profits and should be more transparent about their decision-making processes. Moyo also recommends that boards should be more deeply involved in setting the strategic course of the companies they lead, rather than simply delegating this responsibility to the CEO.

HOW BOARDS WORK is an urgent road map for how boards can steer companies through tomorrow's challenges and ensure they thrive to benefit their employees, shareholders, and society at large. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of boards in today's corporate landscape and offers practical advice for board members and executives seeking to improve the effectiveness of their boards.

In conclusion, the book "HOW BOARDS WORK" by Dambisa Moyo is a highly instructive and insightful guide to corporate boards. It provides a comprehensive analysis of what boards actually do, how they must adapt to survive the challenges of the coming years, and the key recommendations for improving their effectiveness. The book is a must-read for any prospective or sitting board member, as well as for executives and board members seeking to improve the performance of their boards. By implementing Moyo's recommendations, corporations can ensure that their boards are more transparent, knowledgeable, diverse, and deeply involved in setting the strategic course of the companies they lead, thereby contributing to the long-term success and sustainability of their businesses.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349128412