MODELS

The GEM: Governance Excellence ModelTM

blue diamond with 6 facing sides
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Shown as a diamond—a GEM—the Governance Excellence ModelTM has six facets or areas of responsibility, representing the Seven Disciplines that capture the board’s role in an organization's success.

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THE SEVEN DISCIPLINES OF GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE

Direct

... Organizational Performance

Define and refine the vision, mission, and values.
Determine key result areas.
Establish the governing policies that guide the organization.

blue gem with six facing sides, bottom center facet highlighted

Protect

... the Interests of the Owners

Ensure that key result areas and policies are met through appropriate auditing and reporting.
Maintain a culture of performance improvement for both the Board and the CEO.

blue gem with six facing sides, bottom center facet highlighted

Connect

... for Healthy Board Relationships

Agree upon, understand, and comply with the expectations of each other as board members.
Create and follow a communication process within the board.
Contribute to an effective team dynamic within the board.

blue gem with six facing sides, bottom left facet highlighted

Expect

... Great Board-Management Interaction

Articulate board expectations of the organization and CEO.
Establish and maintain the communication process between board and CEO, including confirmation of CEO performance.
Foster an effective team dynamic between board and CEO.

blue gem with six facing sides, bottom right facet highlighted

Respect

... Owner Expectations

Listen to understand owners.
Invite input from the owners.
Help owners understand board actions and organizational results.

blue gem with six facing sides, top left facet highlighted

Select

... Prominent Leadership

Choose people with the skills, values, and credibility to fulfill their key responsibilities.
Remove people from these roles if they compromise the organization's effectiveness.

blue gem with six facing sides, bottom right facet highlighted

Reflect

... on Organizational Results

Understand and think about the results of the organization's operations and the reasons for deviations from projections.

blue gem with six facing sides, bottom right facet highlighted

The role of the board is to Direct and Protect.

While in the past, board members were happy to let management set the direction for the organization while the board played
a role of approving and advising, this is not the role of the governing board. Set direction, Protect the interests of the owners rather than your own, and keep the Seven Disciplines top of mind to keep your board fulfilling its role and helpfully serving the organization.

Download this overview of the GEM for easy sharing and review.

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