A Critical Friend: Relationship of the Chairman and CEO | Startups Magazine

It is invariably the case that the company is better served if the Chairman and CEO are different people. The CEO can focus on managing the company and providing information to the Board. The Chairman in his role as mentor and overseer, can advise the CEO on alternative courses of action, question missing data, probe her analysis and decisions, adv... See more

A board chair leads the board’s effort to excel at advising on strategy, monitoring performance, overseeing finance and controls, and evaluating management. A CEO establishes within the company a shared set of values, practices, and goals that enables the company to execute its strategic plan and build a meaningful future. To grow, a company needs ... See more

In most business books, the role of the CEO boils down to a small number of key responsibilities. The CEO:

• Sets the overall direction and strategy of the company and communicates this direction regularly to employees, customers, investors, etc.


• Hires, trains, and allocates company employees against this overall direction while maintaining company cul

... See more