How Boards Work

And How They Can Work Better in a Chaotic World

By: Dambisa Moyo

Narrated by: Dambisa Moyo

A New York Times best-selling author and veteran board member offers an insider's view of corporate boards, their struggles, and why they must adapt to survive.

Corporate boards are under great pressure. Scandals and malpractice at companies like Theranos, WeWork, Uber, and Wells Fargo have raised justified questions among regulators, shareholders, and the public about the quality of corporate governance. In How Boards Work, prizewinning economist and veteran board director Dambisa Moyo offers an insider's view of corporate boards as they are buffeted by the turbulence of our times.

Moyo argues that corporations need boards that are more transparent, more knowledgeable, more diverse, and more deeply involved in setting the strategic course of the companies they lead. How Boards Work offers a road map for how boards can steer companies through tomorrow's challenges and ensure they thrive to benefit their employees, shareholders, and society at large.

©2021 Dambisa Moyo (P)2021 Basic Books

Critic reviews

“A highly useful primer for investors and board members alike.” (Kirkus)

"How Boards Work offers a thorough and nuanced take on the ever-evolving role of corporate boards today. Moyo provides a candid assessment of the challenges and opportunities that directors face and wisely warns of the dangers of stasis. The book is not only a must-read for the most tenured and experienced board members, but it also provides critical context to those who one day hope to have a seat at the table.” (Mellody Hobson, co-CEO, Ariel Investments; chair of the board of directors, Starbucks; board member, JP Morgan; former board chair, Dreamworks; and former board member, Estee Lauder)

“Boards have incredible power to impact how companies and their stakeholders meet the challenges of the modern age. But boards are complex and living organisms that require more than just getting smart people in a room. Moyo’s book, informed by real-world experience in negotiating complex situations, should be a must-read for any board that wants to excel and have an impact today.” (Dan Loeb, founder and CEO, Thirdpoint, and former board member, Sothebys)

Amazing book! Insightful, thoughtful and enlightening!!

This is a wonderful explanation and critical assessment of how all scales of corporations and boards work. It is quite eye opening and a great read for anyone with any interest in corporate structure and development!

WHAT AN AWESOME BOOK

Dr Moyo have yet again truly outdone herself. This is one of thee best books on governace I have read to date.

Powerful and practical

Loved it. I found the book provided a very fundamental understanding of how boards (and corporations) work that would be helpful for both investors as well as managers in those corporations and managers in general. Thanks to the author!

An absolutely brilliant, important book!

Dambisa is a true thought leader, and speaks from a well-informed perspective based on her many years of board service. Fantastic read!

“How Boards Work” should be required reading

As a former executive of a Fortune 15 company, and as a public board first-timer, I found this book to be invaluable. Dr. Moyo not only shares her deep and practical experience serving on some of the largest boards in the US and abroad, she is also an engaging storyteller. She lifts the veil on boardrooms and lays bare the real challenges boards face. This should be required reading for all those seeking board service and for executives that engage with boards. Highly recommended. ~ L. Jourdan

Comprehensive Overview

Very comprehensive overview of a boards critical roles and responsibilities, ensuring the corporation's sustainability, relevance and greater purpose.

Wonderful Insight

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a small business owner and also an investor, Dr. Moyo’s insights into the board structure and what makes boards efficient and successful was insightful and beneficial. I enjoyed her economic expertise and her data driven findings.

Neoliberal Corporate Apologist

I don't know who the audience is for this book. But it's not me. It's painfully redundant. 90% of what she covers is common sense and/or not so complicated that it needed to appear in a book. It could have been an email instead. The irony of all this is that by writing such an unnecessary book that fails to add value, Dambisa Moyo is illustrating how out of touch and obsolete boards are. She has undermined one of the central messages of her book by writing the book. Just wow.

suitable for novices

Came in with expectations of a more sophisticated and personal account of her experience on multinational boards. felt more like a mba intro course