Moving corporate culture beyond the executive suite

In its fiduciary role, the board of directors should select a CEO who mirrors the desired ethos of the company. If the board remains cognizant of cultural compatibility as a central criterion in the hiring process, it may engage in strategic oversight without undue interference in the internal operations of the business. Once the board has fulfilled its selection mandate, problems of cultural execution await the CEO, especially in companies trying to effect cultural change. By using human resources as a strategic lever, however, chief executives can meet the Board’s mandate for unity of purpose based on core values.