Become the best board member you can be – and build a high-performing board around you.

Boards have become increasingly vital in this era of transformation, and you feel called to serve as a director. But high performance in the boardroom is a unique challenge – building and leading a governing board are skills you must develop.

The Harvard Business Review Board Member’s Handbook is a practical, comprehensive guide to effective governance. Drawing on vivid insider accounts of boardroom excellence from companies worldwide, it provides clear frameworks, checklists, and step-by-step tools to help you navigate strategy, assess risk, and make high-stakes decisions.

You’ll learn how to position yourself for the right board roles, build your influence, help design a strong boardroom architecture, and recruit the highest-quality executive and director talent.

Whether you’re seeking your first board seat or expanding your impact as a seasoned director, this trusted resource will help you serve your board with confidence, establish your legacy, and steer your organisation into the future.

HBR Handbooks provide ambitious professionals with the frameworks, advice, and tools they need to excel in their careers. With step-by-step guidance, time-honed best practices, and real-life stories, each comprehensive volume helps you to stand out from the pack – whatever your role.

About The Author

Dennis Carey is a board and CEO adviser, mentor, and recruiter. He has co-authored seven books on talent, strategy, and board governance. He founded The Prium, an elite learning platform for senior executives. He also helps companies integrate AI into their decision-making processes.

Michael Useem is faculty director of the Center for Leadership and Change Management and the McNulty Leadership Program and Professor of Management, Emeritus, at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including Boards That Lead, The Leader’s Checklist, and The Leadership Moment.

Maggie Wilderotter is the former Executive Chair and CEO of Frontier Communications. She has served on over fifty public and private boards, including Costco, Hewlett Packard, Juno, and Cadence.