The Imperfect Board Member: Discovering the Seven Disciplines of Governance ExcellenceISBN: 978-0-7879-8610-0
Hardcover
224 pages
September 2006, Jossey-Bass
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—Patrick Lencioni, author, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
"Everyone wins with good governance--countries, corporations,
and community groups. In a compelling style like no one before him,
Jim Brown helps leaders understand the keys for boardroom
excellence. The Imperfect Board Member ought to be required
reading for people on every type of board. The great thing is that
it won't need to be required—it’s such a fun book,
every leader will want to read it."
—Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-CEO, Research in
Motion; chair, Centre for International Governance Innovation
"I know no board members, myself included, who won't learn
valuable lessons from Jim Brown’s book The Imperfect Board
Member. Don't miss it!"
—Ken Blanchard, coauthor, The One-Minute
Manager® and The Secret
"Thanks to Sarbanes-Oxley, boards have become active. The
Imperfect Board Member clarifies sharply the lines of what
boards need to do and what management needs to do. The time has
come for the two groups to work together and yet keep
independent."
—Ram Charan, coauthor, Execution, and author,
Boards That Deliver
"The Imperfect Board Member by Jim Brown is a highly
perceptive, eminently readable, engagingly human book on how boards
and directors can improve their performance. In a breezy
conversational style that uses dialogue invitingly and often, the
author explores with sensitivity and a light touch not only the
standard ingredients but also the more subtle nuances of excellence
in both corporate and not-for-profit governance"
—William A. Dimma, author, Tougher Boards for
Tougher Times; chairman, Home Capital Group Inc.
"Jim Brown has delivered a business fable that is as provocative
as it is unconventional. Do you know the Secret Formula for
Organizational Effectiveness? Are you making the wrong sacrifice?
Does the board lead with its nose or its fingers? The Imperfect
Board Member presents these concepts in a manner that is both
illuminating and engaging."
—Scott Green, author, Sarbanes-Oxley and the Board
of Directors
"For too long, regulators and critics have presumed that
tinkering with metrics like board size and director independence is
the key to governance excellence. But it’s not enough. Good
governance is the product of skillful board members working well
together with a solid grasp on the corporate strategy. In The
Imperfect Board Member, Jim Brown captures this reality
artfully. Read this book and discover for yourself the disciplines
of governance excellence."
—Richard Leblanc, coauthor, Inside the
Boardroom
"It’s hard to overestimate the difference between an
excellent board, a mediocre board, and a failing and complacent
board. But all three have this in common: each of their board
members is imperfect. What makes the difference? A clear vision of
what a board is for, and how a good board functions. Jim
Brown’s new book is the best resource I know of to convey
that vision. What The Five Dysfunctions of a Team does for
staff members this book can do for boards—from charitable
organizations to local churches to educational institutions to
professional associations."
—Brian McLaren, author, A New Kind of Christian
and A Generous Orthodoxy
"Being a good board member is often hard, unrewarding work. How
timely that Jim Brown, a real student of the director’s role,
is sharing his best thinking. And how refreshing that he has
embedded his wisdom in a compelling and entertaining story.
You’ll enjoy and profit from The Imperfect Board
Member."
—John Beckett, author, Loving Monday, chairman,
R.W. Beckett
"The Imperfect Board Member is packed with learning for
board members and those who aspire to be board members."
—Purdy Crawford, counsel, Osler, Hoskin &
Harcourt, LLP
"I’ve consulted with, served on, and even chaired boards
in the profit and not-for-profit sectors for over twenty-five
years. Most boards are well-intended, but confused at best, about
their roles and responsibilities. I’m delighted to recommend
The Imperfect Board Member to help board members and leaders
to be confidently on-purpose."
—Kevin W. McCarthy, author, The On-Purpose
Person and The On-Purpose Business
"An engaging story that works for family relations as well as
board relations! Jim Brown’s clear and concise ideas put
‘hands and feet’ to solid governance principles. Not
only will boards work better but so will staff. This book is full
of applied wisdom."
—John Pellowe, CEO, Canadian Council of Christian
Charities