Whether you are a new chair, an old hand, or even just thinking
about whether or not you'd like to sit at the head of the board,
this book is for you. It contains the cumulative wisdom of dozens
of chairs, from all types and sizes of organisations, from huge NHS
Trusts to school governors, from charities to arts councils.
It provides a pooled wealth of experience from which all chairs
can learn something about being more efficient, effective and,
quite simply, lifting their performance and that of the board they
lead. Most chairs end up learning the hard way, and inevitably that
will always be the case to some degree. But if this book saves you
making just one potential mistake, helps you tackle a tricky
situation from a position of greater confidence, or reassures you
that others have been where you are now and made it through, then
it will have done its job.
Packed with warmth, wisdom and wit, the advice and experiences
contained in this book will make the life of every chair a little
easier and much less lonely.
"All boards are as good - or bad - as the people on them and
their behaviour. The best way to help the chair improve the
effectiveness of board behaviour is to make available the valuable
real world experience of those who have been there and got that
t-shirt. This book does just that, lucidly and with spirit."
Sir Derek Higgs, author of the Higgs
report
"This book is essential for new chairmen of all sorts of
organisations, and it is no bad revision for those who have years
of experience. It's practical, subtle, informative - and often
funny. If you chair an organisation, or think you might like to
try, this is compulsory reading."
Baroness Neuberger, author, broadcaster and
chair
"I sometimes think I'm a whizz at chairing, but then I prove I'm
not. So it's somehow comforting to read that even the most
experienced chairs can get it wrong, and inspiring to see how
they've generally got it right, or put it right. I found this book
illuminating, useful and a surprisingly good read."
Prue Leith, one of the UK's most experienced
non-execs
"Good boards need effective, diplomatic chairs, yet it is rare
that one can find sound advice to help them maximise their boards',
and their own, efficacy. This book is full of practical hints and
helpful techniques, based on the personal experiences of many who
have been there and done it."
Geraldine Peacock, CBE, Chairman, Charity
Commission for England and Wales
"Effective governance lies at the heart of every successful
organisation. This book, with its very welcome down-to-earth
approach, will refresh the experienced as well as guide those who
are new to a chairing role."
Jim Coulter, former Chief Executive of the
National Housing Federation
"The experienced chair no longer has to feel that he or she is
alone in leadership."
Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive,
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
