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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