Cover Story

Why do so many companies fail at succession?
By Joseph L. Bower
A focus on three circumstances that can cause self-destructive behavior, even for well-managed companies: the style of the incumbent CEO, rapid growth, and strategic inflection. What's a board to do?

Features

A remembrance of Stanley Foster Reed
By Alexandra Reed Lajoux
A postcard from the edge: ‘Corporate America is in trouble, and it’s time for a change!’ Thus was born Directors & Boards.

Be strategic about board composition
By Curtis J. Crawford
It is naïve to assume that all directors are equally capable in every respect. Boards need to be built on multiple diverse talents and perspectives.

Worried about your global partners?
By Scott Moritz and Maximilian Block
Investigative due diligence is unsurpassed as a low-cost, high-value tool in learning about your company’s overseas connections.

Setting executive pay in the ‘hard spot’
By Ira T. Kay and Steven Van Putten
Financial performance is strong but the stock price has not yet responded. What’s a compensation committee to do?

The compensation committee recharged
By Martin Nussbaum
What is being asked of the committee this year challenges the traditional distinction between oversight and management.

Is a health care executive on board?
By Lynn Shapiro Snyder and Sandra Van Trease
The health care industry breeds a pool of board candidates experienced in dealing with the most difficult business challenges.

SRI: No longer a niche strategy
By Jerry Moskowitz
Being included in socially responsible investment indexes has its rewards. Should you be making sure your company qualifies?

Kidnap and ransom: How remote the risk?
By JoAnn Ralph
As violence increases throughout the world, businesses of all types and sizes face greater risks to their executives. Here is what you need to know about K&R insurance in today’s dangerous environment.

Book it: Best bets for board reading
From a roundup of new books, leadership insights on altering a succession plan, becoming a first-time president, stakeholder strategizing, VIP treatment for the rank and file, and an ISS-BRT pow-wow.

A prime target for a new journal
By Stanley Foster Reed (1917-2007)
A personal rebellion against think-alike boards — ‘A baseball team of all pitchers!’ — motivated the founding of Directors & Boards.

Departments & Columns

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