Weak Leadership Undermines Business Resilience | Grit in the Boardroom

Описание: Drawing on decades of experience advising organisations including General Electric, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo and Nike, Ram Charan knows that the most important job of any board is selecting, coaching and, when necessary, replacing the chief executive officer (CEO). The truth is that boardroom decisions rarely fail because of a lack of intelligence. They fail because of hesitation and ego, and they depend on courage and disciplined execution.

In this episode of Grit in the Boardroom, Erika Eliasson-Norris, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the United Kingdom’s Post Office Horizon Information Technology (IT) Inquiry, sits down with Ram Charan, global adviser to chief executive officers and corporate boards, for a direct conversation about corporate governance, strategic decision-making and the reality of leadership decisions inside the C-suite.

Erika and Ram explore why board effectiveness so often weakens under pressure, and Ram shares sharp C-suite insights into how boards should handle risk management, navigate high-stakes strategy and protect business resilience, particularly during corporate scandal or periods of growth under pressure.

The discussion also examines power dynamics between chairs and chief executives, and why strong director dialogue matters more than consensus. Through real management case studies, hard-earned turnaround stories and practical governance lessons, this episode of Grit in the Boardroom challenges conventional thinking about leadership and company culture at the top of organisations.
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Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.
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00:00:00 Coming Up on Grit in the Boardroom
00:00:28 Introduction
00:01:56 Lessons from Ram Charan’s Family Shoe Shop
00:06:25 Defining Leadership
00:08:53 How Harvard Shaped Ram’s Career and Outlook
00:13:04 Earning the Trust of Board-Level Leaders
00:20:45 Why CEO Appointments Take Time
00:23:13 Working with Top Global CEOs
00:26:00 Deciding When to Challenge a Boardroom
00:27:45 Bridging the Gap Between Knowing and Doing
00:32:47 What Ram Would Change in “Execution”
00:41:38 Warning Signs of Boards That Talk Too Much
00:46:18 What Makes a CEO Transition Successful
00:52:20 Common Board Mistakes
00:55:28 How Vulnerability and Fear Affect Boardrooms
00:59:30 Can Leadership Be Taught?
01:04:24 Lessons for Future Generations
01:08:38 Erika’s Reflections