Partnership of Equals: Practical Strategies for Healthcare Ceos and Their BoardsPaperback, 1 March 2009

Effective healthcare organizations need collaborative CEO/board relationships. Author Peter McGinn, a former health system CEO and a former board member, has been on both sides of the boardroom table. This book provides his seasoned advice for building a positive and productive partnership between the CEO and the board.

McGinn suggests a new metaphor for the CEO/board relationship: the CEO as the consultant and the board as the client. Throughout the book, he provides strategies CEOs can use to coach and advise board members. He also provides guidelines for board members. There are differences in the roles of the board and CEO, but there is a level of parity as well--it is a partnership of equals. This book explains how to enhance the strengths of each party.

Topics covered include:

Getting the right people on the board Coaching physician board members Grooming future executive committee members Establishing and maintaining performance standards Managing real or perceived problems and crises Building trust, confidence, and respect Maximizing participation and contributions Making difficult decisions