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Season 1 - Episode 9

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The New Rules of Board Succession

Show Notes

Boards today are navigating a landscape defined by constant change, emerging risks, and evolving expectations. In this episode, Doug Chia sits down with Jane Edison Stevenson and Claudia Pici Morris of Korn Ferry to explore how board succession must adapt to meet these challenges. They discuss the shift from relying on past experience to cultivating a continuous learning mindset, and why agility, curiosity, and self-awareness are becoming essential traits for directors. The conversation introduces the concept of “corporate wisdom” and examines how diverse perspectives in the boardroom can shape better decisions. Jane and Claudia also unpack what it truly means for a board to be “fit for purpose,” emphasizing the importance of forward-looking succession planning, evolving mindsets, and the ability to bring in expertise dynamically.

Highlights

  • [00:40] Meet the guests: Jane Edison Stevenson and Claudia Pici Morris
  • [01:10] Setting the context: Managing board succession in a shifting landscape
  • [02:00] Defining a continuous learning mindset in governance
  • [05:30] Corporate wisdom as a strategic board advantage
  • [07:00] Ensuring boards remain fit for purpose
  • [12:00] Anticipating future strategic challenges and opportunities
  • [14:30] Utilizing ad hoc committees for specialized expertise
  • [16:00] Individual director responsibility for ongoing evolution
  • [19:00] Evaluating candidate mindsets beyond technical resumes
  • [27:10] Trends in board self-assessments and individual feedback
  • [29:40] Components of a multi-dimensional board succession blueprint
  • [37:20] Managing board rotation, refreshment, and role progression
  • [43:50] Implementing the Board Success Profile framework
  • [47:30] Identifying and vetting detrimental leadership behaviors

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Season 1

Episode 9

The New Rules of Board Succession

Boards today are navigating a landscape defined by constant change, emerging risks, and evolving expectations. In this episode, Doug Chia sits down with Jane Edison Stevenson and Claudia Pici Morris of Korn Ferry to explore how board succession must adapt to meet these challenges. They discuss the shift from relying on past experience to cultivating a continuous learning mindset, and why agility, curiosity, and self-awareness are becoming essential traits for directors. The conversation introduces the concept of “corporate wisdom” and examines how diverse perspectives in the boardroom can shape better decisions. Jane and Claudia also unpack what it truly means for a board to be “fit for purpose,” emphasizing the importance of forward-looking succession planning, evolving mindsets, and the ability to bring in expertise dynamically.

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