July/August 2007 Trustee Workbook
The CEO-Board Chair Partnership
By Mary K. Totten and James E. Orlikoff

Most governance experts agree that the relationship between the board chair and chief executive officer is critical to board effectiveness and important to organizational success. Yet board chairs and CEOs readily admit they don’t spend enough time together developing and strengthening that relationship.

Consider the following scenario: Marilyn has been the CEO of New Town Memorial Hospital for five years. Under her leadership, the hospital has strengthened relationships with its physicians, improved its financial position and enhanced its image in the community by delivering care and service with improved clinical and financial outcomes. Marilyn enjoys a supportive relationship with her 15-member board and has worked effectively with board leaders throughout her tenure.

Today, Marilyn is reflecting on her relationship with Bill, the hospital’s recently appointed board chair. Bill assumed the chair role at the beginning of his second term on the board. He is CEO of a midsized manufacturing facility that his family has owned and operated for three generations. Soon after coming onto the board, Bill provided a refreshing perspective, typically cutting to the core of an issue or problem and providing innovative solutions. He is respected by his fellow board members, who are sometimes a little in awe at how quickly he sizes up issues and devises strategies to deal with them. Marilyn has worked effectively with Bill on several board committees, admires his intellect and looked forward to his tenure as chair.

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2007 Gallup Great Workplace Award Winner - St. Joseph Health System

Recently, Center member St. Joseph Health System in Orange, CA, was among 12 organizations worldwide to receive the 2007 Gallup Great Workplace Award. The award recognizes organizations for their extraordinary ability to create an engaged workplace culture. The winners were selected based on their employees' responses to a Gallup survey.

"To say we are honored to receive this award is an understatement," said Deborah Proctor, president and CEO of St. Joseph Health System. "The credit goes to our employees for their commitment to our mission, vision and values. At St. Joseph Health System we value all of our employees and the personal contributions each of them makes to our organization. We believe a fully engaged workplace must be an environment where our employees know they have a voice and that when they speak, we are listening."

Continue to read more about St. Joseph Health System's Worldwide Award.

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The Center for Healthcare Governance developed Speakers Express to help make the high-caliber speakers and presenters found at its national symposia and regional workshops available to organizations throughout the country. Our speakers are proven professionals who are viewed as the "go-to" leaders in their respective fields of expertise, customizing their presentations to fit the unique needs of each organization.

The Center for Healthcare Governance introduces Peg C. Neuhauser.

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