The Great Chair
A Window on Effective Board Leadership
by Brian Hayward

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The Great Chair speaks to a single issue—why board chairs are more important than ever for effective governance. This book tackles board leadership fundamentals, such as: • How effective board chairs engage colleagues to reach consensus, • How effective chairs lead the board so the board, in turn, fosters organizational effectiveness, • The trick to ensuring a focus on the highest priorities, • And—critically—how to build and sustain trust with the CEO and within the board. With nearly four decades of experience with the good, bad, and ugly of the board universe, Brian Hayward hones in on practical ways to develop the thinking and behaviour necessary for anyone taking this seat. Through real-life examples, and stories featuring Paul McCartney, Kalahari bushmen, Robert Maxwell, camels, Buddhist parables, and the Boeing 737 Max, readers will see how chairing a board requires leadership competency of its own (distinct from being a director). See what skills differentiate mediocre chairs from a truly great ones. The Great Chair has take-home value—with practical checklists you can use—and a personal development roadmap for you to develop the key skills central to effectively engaging individuals and groups. If you are on a personal journey that may include becoming a board chair—whether the organization exists for profit, and whether it is corporate, family, venture, public agency, or charity in form—The Great Chair was written for you.

www.greatchair.ca

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“The most thorough and comprehensive review of Board leadership that you will find. Well worth the read.” —Gary Filmon, Chair of the Board, Exchange Income Corporation; Former Premier, Province of Manitoba; Officer of the Order of Canada “One of the best Governance books, if not the best, that I have read. Very enjoyable.”— —Richard C. Powers, National Academic Director, Directors Education Program & Governance Essentials Program, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto “A delightful and readable ride through the real world of Boards—fun, thought provoking, practical.” —Charlie Spiring, founder and chairman, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, Investment Industry Association of Canada Hall of Fame Inductee

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Brian Hayward has been involved in managing and governing organizations for close to forty years, almost exclusively at the C-suite and board level. All told, he has been involved in some 500 board meetings, in a host of capacities: as a senior executive, as CEO, as junior board member, as senior committee chair, and frequently as board chair. Whether it has been in the role of Chief Executive, director, or chair, he has played a key role in major transitions—involving changes to ownership, strategy, governance—at times, where the decision dynamics included organizational survival. In 2007, Hayward founded Aldare Resources—an advisory practice providing governance, advisory, and skills development services to local and global clients. When he is not thinking about governance, Brian indulges in playing drums badly and sharing Dad jokes and puns with family and friends. Both pastimes complement his erratic golf and questionable ability to focus as an amateur photographer. For more information, visit: www.greatchair.ca.

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Contributors

Author

Brian Hayward

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Other eBook Editions

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