Attributes of a Lead Director

In brief: This tool has 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. Directors can use this list to identify any gaps in their current lead director’s skill set.

Courtesy of KPMG Board Leadership Center

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