Making Corporate Boards More Effective
- Dates: 08–11 NOV 2023
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $11,250

"Each course provides a distinct perspective, which helps to clarify the responsibilities of the board and the committees."
Summary
Faced with increasingly complex oversight challenges and demands for greater transparency, how can today's boards do more for their companies? In this board of directors education program, you will gain a deeper understanding of the board's responsibilities in areas such as financial resilience, strategic direction, executive compensation, and regulatory compliance. At the same time, you will learn how to work more effectively with fellow directors and company management to strengthen governance, manage unexpected crises, and make decisions that drive long-term corporate success.
You may also be interested in the related program: Making Corporate Boards More Effective—Virtual.

This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More
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Summary
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Faced with increasingly complex oversight challenges and demands for greater transparency, how can today's boards do more for their companies? In this board of directors education program, you will gain a deeper understanding of the board's responsibilities in areas such as financial resilience, strategic direction, executive compensation, and regulatory compliance. At the same time, you will learn how to work more effectively with fellow directors and company management to strengthen governance, manage unexpected crises, and make decisions that drive long-term corporate success.
You may also be interested in the related program: Making Corporate Boards More Effective—Virtual.
This program is eligible for the Corporate Director Certificate. Learn More
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Strengthen the impact of your corporate boardStrengthen the impact of your corporate board
- Achieve trust through more positive relationships within the board and with the management team
- Create more efficient governance processes
- Make the most of each board member's time, knowledge, and experience
- Contribute more meaningfully to corporate oversight activities
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Strengthen the impact of your corporate board
- Achieve trust through more positive relationships within the board and with the management team
- Create more efficient governance processes
- Make the most of each board member's time, knowledge, and experience
- Contribute more meaningfully to corporate oversight activities
Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Who Should Attend
This program is designed to meet the needs of board members, chairs, and directors of publicly held companies and established companies that are planning to go public or undergo a significant transformation.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
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Who Should Attend
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This program is designed to meet the needs of board members, chairs, and directors of publicly held companies and established companies that are planning to go public or undergo a significant transformation.
Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Learning and Living at HBS
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
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Learning and Living at HBS
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When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
Admissions Criteria and Process
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
What You Will Learn
Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, and small group discussions, you and your peers will explore the most important strategic and organizational issues facing corporate boards today—and how the most successful boards are addressing their challenges.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
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What You Will Learn
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Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, and small group discussions, you and your peers will explore the most important strategic and organizational issues facing corporate boards today—and how the most successful boards are addressing their challenges.
Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
The board and managementThe board and management
- Understanding the board's role and responsibilities in relation to management
- Working with management to oversee company strategy
- Grooming the next generation of top management
The board's internal processesThe board's internal processes
- Designing the most effective structure, composition, and processes for your board
- Identifying the personal qualities and characteristics needed in the boardroom
- Providing constructive feedback to one another and to the board's leaders
Proactive governance and risk mitigationProactive governance and risk mitigation
- Ensuring that your company complies with relevant regulations and laws
- Preparing for unexpected events and crises, such as activist takeovers, accounting fraud, environmental disasters, and cybersecurity threats
The board and management
- Understanding the board's role and responsibilities in relation to management
- Working with management to oversee company strategy
- Grooming the next generation of top management
The board's internal processes
- Designing the most effective structure, composition, and processes for your board
- Identifying the personal qualities and characteristics needed in the boardroom
- Providing constructive feedback to one another and to the board's leaders
Proactive governance and risk mitigation
- Ensuring that your company complies with relevant regulations and laws
- Preparing for unexpected events and crises, such as activist takeovers, accounting fraud, environmental disasters, and cybersecurity threats
The HBS Advantage
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Baker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration
Senior Lecturer of Business Administration
Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
H. Douglas Weaver Professor of Business Law
Joseph Flom Professor of Law and Business
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The HBS Advantage
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Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Faculty CochairsBaker Foundation Professor and John G. McLean Professor of Business Administration, Emerita
HBS Unit:General ManagementPhilip J. Stomberg Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Accounting and ManagementFacultySenior Lecturer of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Organizational BehaviorRoss Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
HBS Units:Accounting and ManagementGeneral ManagementHarvard Business School:H. Douglas Weaver Professor of Business Law
Harvard Law School:Joseph Flom Professor of Law and Business
HBS Unit:Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.11%Africa5%Asia Pacific20%Europe12%Latin America7%Middle East45%North America11%Africa5%Asia Pacific20%Europe12%Latin America7%Middle East45%North AmericaEducationEducationHighest level attainedHighest level attainedEducationHighest level attainedJD/LawJD/LawMDMDPhDPhDMBAMBAMS/MAMS/MABS/BABS/BATwo Year CollegeTwo Year CollegeForeign DiplomaForeign DiplomaHigh School DiplomaHigh School DiplomaJD/LawJD/LawMDMDPhDPhDMBAMBAMS/MAMS/MABS/BABS/BATwo Year CollegeTwo Year CollegeForeign DiplomaForeign DiplomaHigh School DiplomaHigh School Diploma
