The importance of evaluating the board

AS RECENTLY as the turn of the century, formal board evaluations were rare. While staff appraisals have long been commonplace throughout most large organisations, it seemed that directors were considered to be above such an apparently demeaning process.

Perhaps it was felt that if a group of successful people were brought together, they would - by definition - become a successful board, and no further review is needed.

Why have board evaluations

Simply placing competent people of goodwill around a boardroom table will not necessarily result in an effective functioning board. Issues of structure, processes and behaviour can detract from or add to board effectiveness.

A properly conducted board evaluation will help to flush these out …