A board of directors is an entity that supervises a business or non-profit organization. It is responsible for establishing the company’s regulatory due diligence governance, management, and policies. It could be comprised of insiders who have a deep understanding of the workings and qualified outsiders with expertise in certain areas. It also chooses its own officers, including the president, and other officers who are in charge of titles such as vice president or vice chair, along with treasurers and a secretary/treasurer combination. A board may have strict rules for director behavior and may require fitness-to-serve standards. It also has the ability to sack directors and have the necessary disciplinary procedures in instances of fiduciary duty violations or other violations.
A board of directors can be similar to the rhythm section of an organization. It provides direction and oversight, while the executive and the CEO focus on the daily challenges of the company and execute the strategy. In an ideal situation, a board would work with the CEO in order to help the business grow while posing tough questions about the specifics of the business’s operations.
The ideal board members will have diverse skills and a strong desire for the success of the company. They should be able learn quickly and think quickly. They should be able respond to situations and emotions in ways that support the group. Finally, they should be able to perform well in a group setting.