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2022 RRA Global Board Culture and Director Behaviors Study
Report
What differentiates a top performing board?
Welcome to the Global Board Culture and Director Behaviors Study, a research effort first started in 2016 by Russell Reynolds Associates to examine the reality of how boards operate today: what behaviors directors demonstrate in the boardroom, how board and committee chairs lead, and what topics make it on to the board’s agenda.
In recent years we have paid particular focus to Gold Medal Boards, those that operate in a highly effective manner, and which oversee a corporation that has sustained outperformance relative to its peers. Gold Medal Boards operate differently than other boards – not only do they focus their time on more forward-looking, value-creating activities, but on every single one of 28 behavioral measures, their directors and board leaders score higher than their non-Gold Medal Board peers. The example they set is undoubtedly one that other directors and boards should strive to meet.
In this series, we explore board performance and effectiveness, multiple aspects of director and leadership behaviors and board agendas, and take a deep dive into the topics of sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).
Research Paper Series
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When 9 is the Perfect Number: the 7+2 Model for Highly Effective BoardsNo corporate director dreams of sitting on an ineffective board – yet many will find themselves serving on a board that underperforms relative to their expectations. Learn about the formula that can turn an underperforming board into a high performing one. |
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Director Performance: The High Impact Behaviors of the Most Effective DirectorsThree years ago, we identified a group we call Gold Medal Boards; those where directors rate their board’s effectiveness highly (9 or 10 on a 1–10-point scale) and where the company has outperformed relevant TSR benchmarks for at least the last two consecutive years. |
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Building Board Culture: The Critical Role of the Board Chair in Driving Board PerformanceThe best board chairs are facilitators who get the best out of the collective expertise of the board – yet many chairs fail to play that role successfully. |
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Focusing on the Future: How Gold Medal Boards Prioritize Their TimeIn the midst of a global pandemic, economic turbulence, and societal upheaval, Gold Medal Boards continued to stay focused on value-creating work: strategic planning, operational performance, M&A, and capital allocation. |
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Sustainability: Genuine Commitment and Explicit Net Zero TargetsInvestors, lawmakers, regulators, employees, and customers are all focused on sustainability, and often wondering if the board is doing enough to set up the company for long-term success in an increasingly sustainability-minded environment. |
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Inclusive Culture and DE&I: Gold Medal Boards Take the LeadAround the globe, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) has grown to become a critically important boardroom topic given the increasing focus by legislatures, regulatory bodies, stock exchanges, investors, and the general public. |