Board Effectiveness: A Survey of the C-Suite
We are living through a period of historic change — one marked by rapid shifts in policy, global alliances and market dynamics. For business leaders in 2025, the challenges are real, and the uncertainty is undeniable. But this volatility and uncertainty also presents a powerful opportunity: to reimagine strategies, build greater resilience and uncover new […]
Paul DeNicola is a Principal, and Arielle Berlin and Carin Robinson are Directors at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). This post is based on a PwC and The Conference Board report by Mr. DeNicola, Ms. Berlin, Ms. Robinson, and Matteo Tonello.
We are living through a period of historic change — one marked by rapid shifts in policy, global alliances and market dynamics. For business leaders in 2025, the challenges are real, and the uncertainty is undeniable. But this volatility and uncertainty also presents a powerful opportunity: to reimagine strategies, build greater resilience and uncover new avenues for growth.
The fast-moving legal and regulatory environment, while complex, is reshaping the corporate governance landscape in ways that require fresh thinking and bold leadership. Policy changes and evolving international relationships are driving companies to adapt quickly — rethinking supply chains, adjusting to tariff changes and navigating shifting consumer behaviors. And although declining consumer confidence has made planning more difficult, it also underscores the need for agile strategies and strong, steady leadership.
In this environment, boards play a critical role — not only in providing oversight, but in helping companies find clarity and direction amid the noise. Expectations of boards are rising fast, as is the need for directors to bring both vision and versatility to the table.
Are boards meeting these expectations? In some ways, yes. As the fifth annual Board Effectiveness: A Survey of the C-Suite from PwC and The Conference Board shows, more executives are expressing confidence in their boards. Progress is clear — but so are the opportunities for enhancement. Directors are being called upon to expand their remit, refresh their skill sets and align more closely with the operational realities executives face.
This year’s survey — capturing insights from more than 500 executives — reveals a landscape of both momentum and challenge. Encouragingly, 35% of executives now say their boards are doing an excellent or good job, up from 30% the prior year. At the same time, concerns remain about board composition, preparedness for global complexity and the evolving boundaries of board oversight. (more…)
