Research: How Boards Can Increase CEO Accountability

When a company starts to struggle, all eyes turn to the CEO. Shareholders demand results, employees seek direction, and internal contenders begin analyzing vulnerabilities and positioning themselves for the top job. There’s a strong expectation for the CEO to resolve the problem or face removal. But not always in the boardroom, where directors are reluctant to make bold, decisive moves and instead engage in drawn-out debates that sidestep critical issues. Even in the face of recurring underperformance, many boards choose to retain their CEOs for extended periods.