Paul Tellier, speaking on the occasion of being award the Conference Board of Canada's highest honor, the Honourary Associate Award, on November 17, 2010.
He has had a long and distinguished career spanning both the public and private sctors, and is perhaps best known for his role in transforming CN Rail into one of the most efficient railroads in North America.
He offers the following 10 tips/warnings for Boards
- The Chairman is not sufficiently inclusive
- The dominating role of a strong CEO
- Too much focus on projects may be to the detriment of discussing the broad strategy and neglecting risk management.
- The role of consultants is from time to time too pervasive and intrusive.
- Power Point presentations are taking up too much time.
- Directors should not limit themselves to the boardroom.
- Directors may stay on too long.
- The Chair is reluctant or too slow to get rid of non- performing directors.
- There are still too few women directors and progress has been too slow.
- Neglecting the creation of shareholder value.
To see the entire speech, click here