{"id":1121,"date":"2020-07-28T18:17:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-28T18:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ceo-worldwide.com\/blog\/?p=1121"},"modified":"2026-03-05T06:32:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T06:32:50","slug":"makes-good-chairman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ceo-worldwide.com\/blog\/makes-good-chairman\/","title":{"rendered":"Qualities of a Good Chairman"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Last Updated: March 04, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of the Chairman has become much higher in profile than ever before. Stakeholders now expect an engaged, energetic, and involved Chairman who does far more than simply manage the corporate governance process. According to PwC’s 2025 Annual Corporate Directors Survey, 55% of directors believe at least one board colleague should be replaced \u2014 the highest proportion in the survey’s history \u2014 underscoring the growing demand for effective board leadership at the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The success of a Chairmanship undoubtedly hinges on the relationship the Chairman has with the chief executive, a relationship that should be centered on honesty, trust, and transparency. The success of this relationship is based on mutual understanding by both parties of the distinction between their two roles \u2014 the Chairman guides and oversees; the CEO executes and manages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good and effective Chairmen must have an extremely thorough knowledge of the business they are chairing. They must know enough to ask the right questions and must provide a constructive level of challenge to the chief executive. One of the main faults of chairmen deemed to be ineffective is their failure to comprehend that they are not there to run the business \u2014 their role is instead to support and guide. In simple terms, the job of the chairman is to ensure that the business is well run, not to run the business themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is, however, a fine line to walk between being too involved and being too remote. This means Chairmen should devote the appropriate level of time to their roles, which means visiting operations, talking with staff and customers, as well as investors and other key stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best Chairman is able to develop empathy with the business and engage with its people and issues. But there is no “one-size-fits-all” prescription for an effective Chairman. The right level of engagement will vary depending on the company’s stage in the business cycle, competitive environment, the experience of the chief executive, and \u2014 increasingly in 2025 \u2014 the complexity of challenges like digital transformation, cybersecurity risk, and evolving regulatory expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What ultimately defines a good Chairman is the ability to run an effective board and to manage relationships with both shareholders and stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Qualities<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

10 Essential Qualities of a Good Chairman in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n