IMD Books
I by IMD Best Practice in Governance
From oversight to insight – master the principles that define effective boards in a complex world.
Today’s board members face growing expectations – from navigating digital disruption and ESG scrutiny to maintaining trust. This collection brings together the wisdom of world-class faculty, researchers, and global practitioners to help you build stronger boards and smarter organizations.
What you’ll discover:
- How the board’s human dynamics shape strategic alignment and cultural transformation
- Why effective onboarding and continuous learning are essential to avoid complacency
- The leadership paradox of moving “from C-suite to board seat”
- How AI is reshaping the flow of information in the boardroom
- Proven frameworks for crisis readiness, digital resilience, and sustainable governance
- The hidden layers of conflicts of interest and the cultural traps that quietly undermine even high-performing boards
Whether you are an experienced director or an aspiring board member, IbyIMD: Best Practice in Governance offers the insights, frameworks, and reflections needed to elevate your contribution, and ensure that learning, like good governance, never stops.
Publisher
IMD
Publication date
5 November 2025
“From mastering board dynamics and governance frameworks to honoring leadership legacies, this collection offers practical insight for effective, strategic boards.”
“Illustrated with real-world insights from IMD faculty and boardroom practice, this collection transforms governance principles into actionable lessons that empower leaders to drive strategic impact and board excellence.”
This book presents a curated collection of conceptually robust, practically relevant, and widely respected articles authored by IMD faculty and distinguished external experts. Covering the core dimensions of board effectiveness – from the four pillars of governance and strategic oversight to managing group dynamics, fostering psychological safety, and navigating crises – the contributions are designed to enhance board members’ judgment, broaden their perspective, and strengthen their ability to drive effective, strategic decision-making.
Together, these insights equip leaders with the tools, frameworks, and practical guidance needed to achieve high-performing boards and deliver meaningful, lasting organizational impact.
Contents
Introduction from the editor – Stefan Michel
The rising demands on boards: pitfalls to avoid and the path ahead – A tribute to Hanne de Mora (1960 – 2025) – Didier Cossin and Yukie Saito
The four pillars of board effectiveness – Didier Cossin
Part 1: People
- People, culture, and strategy: The board’s role in transformation – Didier Cossin, Yukie Saito, and Hannele Jakosuo-Jansson
- From C-suite to board seat: How to lead by stepping back – Marie-France Tschudin
- The future of women on boards and the paradox plaguing the conversation – Jennifer Jordan
Part 2: Information architecture
- Three ways AI is transforming boards – Didier Cossin and Yukie Saito
Part 3: Structures and processes
- Crisis in the boardroom: How to build a crisis response architecture – Didier Cossin
- Why boardroom composition is key to getting environmental strategy right – Ivan Miroshnychenko
- Building digital resilience: Why cyber is no longer just a technology concern – Öykü Işık
Part 4: Group dynamics and board culture
- The four tiers of conflict of interest faced by board directors – Didier Cossin and Abraham Hongze Lu
- The three types of toxic board culture and how to avoid them – Denise Kenyon-Rouvinez and Paul Strebel
Explore IMD thought leadership on board governance and leadership impact
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We help board leaders like you transform governance from a checklist into a dynamic force that drives impact. You’ll gain the frameworks, insights, and practical guidance to elevate board effectiveness, navigate complex challenges, and turn strategic ambition into measurable results – strengthening decision-making, culture, and long-term organizational success.