Attributes of a Lead Director

Below are a selection of key attributes for lead directors as identified by KPMG through their Lead Director Initiative, where they directly interviewed directors about their experiences. 

HOW TO USE THIS TOOL: Directors can use this list to identify any gaps in their current lead director’s skill set

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

• Builds consensus around the proposed direction of the company’s strategy 

• Encourages the board, CEO, and management to develop a vivid picture of the future and its impact on strategy 

• Sets the board's culture by example

• Collaborative, and a consensus builder

• Helps the CEO read the board correctly and vice versa 

• Open to diverse and dissenting points of view from board members 

• Ability to respectfully move from a debate to a decision at the right time