Product Overview
| Synopsis |
The vast governance literature has focused almost exclusively on boards; their obligations, responsibilities and roles; the way they should be structured, configured and composed; how they should function and what they can do to improve their performance. Little attention has been accorded directors and directorship. This book was written to begin filling this void.
‘Drivers’ manuals aren’t provided to directors at the time of their initial appointment or during their terms of service. The assumption is that bright people will figure out, and pickup the fundamentals of, board work by just doing it. Experience is a great teacher. But it can be enriched, leveraged and enlivened when grounded on good ideas.
Navigating the Boardroom forwards 40 maxims, some things you must know and do to maximize your performance and contributions as a nonprofit healthcare organization director, whether you’re new or long-tenured. The book is straight talk that forwards practical and usable wisdom.
| About The Author |
Dennis D. Pointer, PhD, is the Austin Ross – Virginia Mason Professor, Department of Health Administration, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington (Seattle).
Pointer is the author of twelve books. Really Governing and Board Work have won the James A. Hamilton Book of the Year Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives. His other books include: Getting to Great: Principles of Health Care Organization Governance; The High-Performance Board: Principles of Nonprofit Organization Governance; The Health Care Industry: A Primer for Board Members and Essentials of Health Care Finance: A Primer for Board Members. He is currently working on a new book, Governing the 21st Century Nonprofit Healthcare Organization: Transforming the Work and Contributions of Your Board (estimated release in early 2009). He has written 90 scholarly and professional articles.
Dennis Pointer received his PhD from the University of Iowa in hospital and health services administration and BSc in organizational psychology from Iowa State University. He is a nationally renowned governance consultant, retreat facilitator, author, and speaker.
| Reviews |
"Easy to digest, practical and condensed wisdom; an essential road map for both new and experienced directors. This is valuable reading for all those who are serious about governing."
Mark R. Neaman President & CEO, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare
"An extraordinary book, very well written. The 40 maxims are right on target and valuable guides for all trustees. This is a must read."
Stephen A. Williams President & CEO, Norton Healthcare
“Denny has a nose for understanding best practices and worst mistakes. He lays out ‘rules of the road’ for novice and experienced directors alike. Everyone who enters a health system or hospital boardroom can benefit from this book.”
J. Knox Singleton President & CEO, Inova Health System
"Denny has pointed his pen and taken aim at directors of healthcare organizations. His 40 maxims provide a much-needed, focused and prescriptive road map for greater trusteeship professionalism which, if followed, will result in more proficient and effective governance."
Ken Hanover President & CEO, Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
“All directors should read these 40 Maxims; they will change the way you think about governing and perform in the boardroom.”
Douglas Hawthorne President & CEO, Texas Health Resources
“The acid test is: Will these maxims improve director quality and effectiveness? The answer is a resounding ‘absolutely’! Maxim #1 should have been: Read these before embarking on the critical task of governing.”
John W. O’Connell President & CEO, Franciscan Services Corporation
“I have spent 27 years of my life as the CEO of healthcare organizations, a publicly traded company and a start-up IT venture; I’ve always sought Denny’s counsel and advice about governance. These maxims will help directors make good boards great. In an era of transparency, boards that heed these ideas will outshine their counterparts and be of greater value to society.”
R. Timothy Stack President & CEO, Piedmont Healthcare
“A must have resource for all health system and hospital boards; CEOs, chairs and directors should make this valuable book part of their tool box.”
David D. Whitaker President & CEO, Norman Regional Health System
"CEOs are realizing strong, informed and empowered boards are great assets for navigating the challenges facing contemporary healthcare organizations. High performance governance requires: boards that engage in best practices; and directors who understand and execute their critical roles. Denny's book provides an essential road map for executives, board chairs and directors."
Gary S. Kaplan, M.D. Chairman & CEO, Virginia Mason Medical Center
“Denny has produced an invaluable guide about the self-care and development of board officers and members. It is targeted perfectly. I wish such a list of do’s and don’ts had been available when I entered the field in 1955. Clearly, in today’s complex environment, his contribution is of special value. It serves as a powerful guide to strengthen executive-board relationships.”
Austin Ross Executive Vice President, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center
“Serving on a governing board is a monumental challenge. For the freshman director or more seasoned one, this book lays out key elements of a well organized platform which each director needs to fulfill his/her fiduciary responsibilities.”
William Himmelsbach Executive Officer, VHA Empire-Metro, VHA Senior Vice President
“This concise and practical book captures the challenges, vitality, and complexity of healthcare boards. Denny offers candid and straightforward advice, plus numerous anecdotes, drawn from decades of governance consulting, research and teaching experience. Navigating the Boardroom provides thoughtful maxims for readers interested in a quick bit of advice or those wanting greater depth.”
Dale Schumacher, M.D., M.P.H. President, Rockburn Institute
| Product Details |
Title: NAVIGATING THE BOARDROOM: 40 Maxims – Things You Must Know and Do to Be a Great Director
Author: Dennis D. Pointer
Publisher: Second River Healthcare
Pub. Date: May 2008
Format: Faux Leather Cover
Pages: 77
Edition Number: 1
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0-9743860-9-6
ISBN-10: 0-9743860-9-X
Product Dimensions: 8" x 5.5" x .25"