Preparing to Be a Corporate Director
Summary
What does it take to succeed as a corporate director? For senior executives interested in joining a corporate board, preparation is key, as board service presents unique responsibilities, dynamics, risks, and opportunities. It also calls for a distinctive set of skills. This program will equip you with critical tools and insights that will enhance your readiness for corporate board service and enable you to make a lasting contribution at the highest level of an organization.
You may also be interested in the related program: Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual.
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Summary
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What does it take to succeed as a corporate director? For senior executives interested in joining a corporate board, preparation is key, as board service presents unique responsibilities, dynamics, risks, and opportunities. It also calls for a distinctive set of skills. This program will equip you with critical tools and insights that will enhance your readiness for corporate board service and enable you to make a lasting contribution at the highest level of an organization.
You may also be interested in the related program: Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual.
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Maximize your contribution as a board directorMaximize your contribution as a board director
- Confidently assume the role of corporate directors, including legal and fiduciary duties
- Develop the competence and knowledge to manage critical board tasks
- Appreciate the role and function of the board chair and board committees, especially those related to audit, compensation, and nomination
- Engage in collaborative decision-making with colleagues who may have differing perspectives
Expand your leadership capabilitiesExpand your leadership capabilities
- Add value to an organization by overseeing its leadership and strategic direction
- Deepen your awareness of current and emerging issues facing boards and companies
- Balance the demands of shareholders with those of other stakeholders in driving long-term corporate performance
- Interact more effectively with your company's board as a senior executive
- Become "CEO ready" by using board service as an executive development tool
Analyze board opportunitiesAnalyze board opportunities
- Evaluate opportunities for board service in various contexts and organizations
- Perform due diligence before joining a board
- Assess the time and commitment required to serve on a board
- Determine the ideal time to join a board and where you can make your greatest contribution
Develop a personal strategy for your board careerDevelop a personal strategy for your board career
- Clarify your reasons and motivations for joining a board
- Develop a thoughtful plan for integrating board service into your career
- Plan how you will balance the board director role with a full-time position
- Manage your personal reputation as a board director, especially in moments of organizational crisis
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 around 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
- Senior executives who are interested in serving on a corporate board
- Executives who are retired or preparing for retirement and considering board opportunities
- C-level executives who are board-facing (e.g., CEO, CFO, CHRO, CSO) and seek to strengthen their leadership capabilities
- Partners from audit or consulting firms
- Partners and executives of private equity and venture capital firms
- Nonprofit board directors who aspire to serve on corporate boards
- New board members who are in small and medium sized firms
U.S. and Canada-based executives who self-identify as an underrepresented person of color and/or LGBTQ may be interested in Accelerating Board Diversity.
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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- Senior executives who are interested in serving on a corporate board
- Executives who are retired or preparing for retirement and considering board opportunities
- C-level executives who are board-facing (e.g., CEO, CFO, CHRO, CSO) and seek to strengthen their leadership capabilities
- Partners from audit or consulting firms
- Partners and executives of private equity and venture capital firms
- Nonprofit board directors who aspire to serve on corporate boards
- New board members who are in small and medium sized firms
U.S. and Canada-based executives who self-identify as an underrepresented person of color and/or LGBTQ may be interested in Accelerating Board Diversity.
Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Dive Deeper into the ExperienceSee how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
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
