Board Members Reflect
A joint project of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and the National Association of Corporate Directors-Silicon Valley
To be effective, corporate boards must oversee the ethical functioning of a company as well as its business operations. In these videos we ask three experienced corporate directors-- Richard Levy, Robert Finocchio and Michael Hackworth-- to share their views about the ethical challenges facing corporate boards. Teaching notes are available for instructors using the videos in classes or training.
 The Board's Responsibility for the Corporation's SoulBeyond fiduciary obligations, boards have a duty to protect the soul of the corporation. |
 What Makes a Good Board Meeting?A good board meeting uses open discussion to address what the company really needs. |
 How Boards and Managers Can Work TogetherBoards need to avoid micro-managing company executives to encourage trust. |
 Characteristics of a Good Corporate DirectorDirectors should be independent and courageous, and they should have skin in the game. |
 The Relationship Between Board and CEOThe CEO works for the board and not vice versa. Even a rock star CEO should be scrutinized closely.
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 How Boards Can Learn What's Really Going OnDirectors must gather data from many sources, with their noses in but their fingers out. |
 How Ethics Serves Business GoalsThe board should ask itself: Does it optimize the bottom line? Is it legal? Is it ethical? |
 Boards Help Create an Ethical CorporationWhat practical steps can boards take to incentivize and track ethical behavior? |
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