Effective Board Evaluations: A Director's Practical Tips

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Feb 27, 2026) "The Informed Board" newsletter "Effective Board Evaluations: A Director's Practical Tips" features insights from director Beth Vanderslice on board-evaluation design and execution. Core moves: replace standardised multiple-choice surveys — which often produce uniformly high scores — with confidential in-depth interviews with each director, conducted by an independent interviewer with board experience; probe five core areas including board structure (composition, size, committee structure, skills mix, board-leadership effectiveness) and board meetings; preserve confidentiality and anonymity to surface candor; report verbatim comments rather than summarised responses; and convey individual feedback privately — typically by chair or lead independent director — never in front of the full board. Direct playbook for SEA mid-market boards.