Session 1: Chairing the Board in a Changing World - Leading with Strategic Composure

In a world where disruption is constant—tariffs, regulatory shifts, economic volatility, and global events—board chairs must be adept at leading their boards through uncertainty with confidence and clarity. The board looks to the chair to set the tone: to remain calm, listen deeply, evaluate thoughtfully, and ensure the board does not react impulsively.  

In this highly interactive session, board chairs will expand the critical skills they need to track emerging trends, manage ambiguity, and guide their boards with strategic composure. Participants will engage in real-world exercises and case analyses to refine their ability to lead in a today’s apidly changing environment.  

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Develop techniques to project composure, confidence, and credibility in uncertain times. 
• Learn how to gather insights, think historically, and make decisions that are deliberate rather than reactive. 
• Understand how to provide reassurance, strategic input, and focus to executive leadership. 
• Explore methods for managing directors’ reactions to crises, keeping discussions productive, and minimizing distractions (e.g., from media and public pressure). 
• Develop a structured approach to tracking trends, assessing risks, and guiding the board through evolving challenges.