27 | Do CEO Evaluations Actually Work? (Part 1)

In this episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Dr. Keri Jacobs and Richard Fagerlin talk with guests Kevin Berchelmann and Jason Brancel about one of the board’s most important responsibilities—evaluating the CEO. This is part one of a two-part conversation exploring why evaluations matter, how to make them meaningful, and how boards and CEOs can turn the process into an ongoing, productive dialogue rather than a one-time event. We discuss how:

• Effective CEO evaluations align with the board’s fiduciary duties and help ensure the CEO has clarity, support, and tools to succeed.

• Boards often mistake frequent communication for true performance dialogue; evaluations should address leadership competencies, strategic impact, and organizational health.
• A structured process includes defining expectations, gathering broad feedback, and turning themes into actionable goals.
• Bringing in an independent facilitator can improve objectivity and help boards avoid unintended biases and inconsistent evaluation practices.
• Separate the evaluation discussion from the compensation discussion.

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