Board Of Directors Quotes

“When companies act ethically, they build trust with their employees, customers, investors, and communities.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“All I mean is that a board of directors is one or two ambitious men--and a lot of ballast. I mean that groups of men are vacuums. Great big empty nothings. They say we can't visualize a total nothing. Hell, sit at any committee meeting. The point is only who chooses to fill that nothing. It's a tough battle. The toughest. It's simple enough to fight any enemy, so long as he's there to be fought. But when he isn't. . .”
― Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

“Trust is the bedrock of any healthy relationship,
including those between a company and its stakeholders. Trust is what keeps our economy going because without trust, people don’t transact.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Ethical governance fosters a culture of integrity and accountability within the organization. This can lead to improved employee engagement, reduced misconduct, and enhanced risk management.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Corporate governance involves its fair share of shareholder activism, but proactive engagement can build trust and mitigate conflict.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“Ethical lapses can lead to reputational damage, consumer boycotts, and investor distrust, ultimately harming the company's bottom line.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“When employees feel valued and respected, and when they trust that their company operates with integrity, they are more likely to be motivated, productive, and loyal.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“When companies genuinely commit to CSR, they signal to their stakeholders that their values align with broader societal concerns.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Corporate governance involves its fair share of external pressures, but upholding fiduciary duties ensures responsible decision-making.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“Corporate governance involves its fair share of present-day decisions, but anticipating future consequences ensures responsible stewardship.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“Stakeholder trust is the bedrock upon which long-term value creation is built in the context of corporate social responsibility.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“A high-performing and ethical boardroom doesn't happen by accident; it requires careful cultivation and a thoughtful approach to board composition and dynamics.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“By identifying and attracting individuals with diverse skills, expertise, and perspectives, organizations can build a board that is well-equipped to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and promote ethical conduct.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Profit serves as a metric of efficiency and effectiveness, indicating that a company is utilizing its resources responsibly and creating value for all its stakeholders while minimizing its negative impact.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Corporate governance involves its fair share of temptations, but prioritizing ethical conduct over short-term gains builds sustainable value.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“There's no one-size-fits-all answer to defining business success, as different companies can and should prioritize various aspects of success. I advise Boards of Directors to develop a custom framework for the company.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“Director recruitment and selection is a critical process in shaping the composition and effectiveness of a board, laying the foundation for ethical governance and responsible leadership.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Director recruitment and selection is not merely about filling vacancies; it's about building a high-performing and ethical board that can provide effective oversight, guide strategic decision-making, and contribute to the long-term success of the organization.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Internal controls and audit oversight are indispensable pillars of sound financial management, providing a framework for safeguarding assets, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting, and promoting operational efficiency.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Companies must anticipate potential crises, develop response plans, and establish clear communication channels to effectively address stakeholder concerns and mitigate reputational damage.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“Profit provides the financial foundation for businesses to invest in CSR initiatives, such as sustainable practices, employee well-being programs, and community development projects.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“What’s key today is synthesizing Information: Making sense of complex data to identify patterns and trends.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“Strategic thinking is not just about planning for the future; it's about shaping it.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“Ensuring the company's sustainable success requires integrating value creation considerations into all aspects of board oversight.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., Board Room Blitz: Mastering the Art of Corporate Governance

“Empirically, it is advised when the Board suggests implementing a change, it’s essential to provide valuable alternatives if such a suggestion does not align with the goal sought to be achieved. Transparency and effective communication is the key for strategic decision-making. Facing challenging situations in the pursuit requires that professionals offer well-analyzed options to the Board ensuring that the company's best interests are upheld. Setting aside personal biases and egos is crucial for aligning with the Board’s common vision. Presenting a professional opinion backed by thorough analysis is the cornerstone of effective decision-making. Clearly outlining trade-offs and potential impacts guides informed choices. Approach decisions with a collaborative mindset, focusing on the organization's long-term success.”
― Henrietta Newton Martin,Senior Legal Counsel & Author

“It's imperative for leaders to celebrate both successes and failures. Learning from mistakes and using them as opportunities for growth is crucial for fostering a culture of continuous improvement.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“The recruitment and selection of directors should be a strategic and thoughtful process, guided by the organization's mission, values, and long-term goals.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr., The Virtuous Boardroom: How Ethical Corporate Governance Can Cultivate Company Success

“You can’t leave a legacy by appointing convenience over competence, true impact is built on courage, discernment, and the right people in the right seats.”
― Mmanti Umoh, THE RISING LEADER

“The law has its language.
The Board has its questions.
The Company Secretary speaks both — with clarity.”
― MADHAVAN M K

“How can one identify the true owner of a cyber risk?

When everyone is responsible, no one is responsible. This is an undisputed fact.

To the best of my knowledge, organizations often rely on frameworks such as RACI matrices (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) to formally assign ownership.

From another perspective, however, the “true owner” of a cyber threat is its creator. And here is where the truth may reside.

Whether it is hackers, insiders, corporate culture, a lack of CISO expertise, disinformation, or perhaps the very silos you have built. And wait. What about your CIO, your CEO, your Board? Think of them as the first line of cyber threats.

I can. I am a scientist, a researcher. I search for what I cannot even imagine at first. Then - it is up to you to decide where to look.”
― Ludmila Morozova-Buss