The Imperfect Board Member: Discovering the Seven Disciplines of Governance Excellence

by Jim Brown

Book Overview

Praise for The Imperfect Board Member

"Finally A book about boards that isn't boring "
--Patrick Lencioni, author, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

"Everyone wins with good governance--countries, corporations, and community groups. In a compelling style like no one before him, Jim Brown helps leaders understand the keys for boardroom excellence. The Imperfect Board Member ought to be required reading for people...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787986100
• ISBN13: 9780787986100
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Imperfect board Member

This book was VERY helpful in my role as a board member in a non-profit organization although it is equally applicable with for profit companies. It is a very easy read in a story type format which gave some body to the major points. Highly recommended

Boards: From Mediocre to Extraordinary

Quick and extremely worthwhile read. A provocative mirror, with many concepts appropriate to non-board leadership teams as well. Written in a practical and easy-to-read allegory style, it clarifies roles within an organization, characteristics of high performing boards, potential pitfalls, and types of steps to remedy weaknesses. A good book doesn't stop with the last page, and "The Imperfect Board Member" continues to distract me as I consider various boards and leadership teams on which I serve.

The Imperfect Board Member

This book was an interesting way of educating the reader on how a good board should function. Since most board members are also consumers of the product and or service provided by the company of which we are board members, we all wear mulitple hats and have our own personal opinions on how the company should operate. This book shows how to rise above those opinions and look at the higher level vision of the company and not the day-to-day operations. I am also reading John Carver's 'Boards That Make a Difference' and firmly believe that the Board must stay out of the operations unless the CEO is extremely weak. These two books together give great ideas of how a good board should operate and how individuals within those boards should consider more than just their one view-point.

Engaging and Educational

I have read more than 50 books on board governance and this one, starting with a fictional story with many embedded principles, held my interest and attention more than any in recent years. The author presents a "model" that is easily digested and practical. This should be of interest to both board members (in all sectors) and senior administrators who want to improve the way their governing boards work.

Moving Board Members From Meddling to Monitoring

Jim Brown nails it. With big print, mind-grabbing graphics and a story line in the tradition of Ken Blanchard and Patrick Lencioni books, you'll value the author's seven disciplines in this leadership fable about business boards, nonprofit boards and faith-based boards. Example: "The best boards keep their noses in the business and their fingers out!" Brown warns, "The only way a board can responsibly do its job without meddling is by monitoring very well." Buy a bunch and give a copy to each board member and senior executive on your team.