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Author: Calvin K Clemons
ISBN: 0975592270

This is a very short book and without the conceit of wrapping up a set of precepts for serving on the board of directors of an organization in a supposed narrative context, it would be shorter still. Despite beginning the text by saying that books are not the best way to provide the material required, the author uses just that medium to do so, which seems a curious idea. For a person who has no business or organizational experience at all, this might be useful and indeed important material.

However, there is nothing particularly original or compelling in the presentation. Indeed, some idea seem to be needlessly controversial (or just poorly-argued): for example, on p.15, the author repeats the tedious myth of American exceptionalism – “One of those freedoms [given to Americans] is the right to come together and form organizations. That is something Americans have done since the beginning and continue to do. We are the models for how people join together in organizations for the overall good of our way of life. No other country can boast of such an endeavor[u]r.” This will come as news to most of the rest of the world. One wonders what the author would make of the sangha, the two thousand five hundred year old organization of Buddhist monks, for example.

At least comments about ‘Excessive Compensation’ are a little more sensible, although there is not really enough information about how directors should be properly assessed and evaluated. The uncoupling of corporate performance from executive compensation has been one of the great scandals of the modern business world. It has contributed to the enormous increase in income inequalities witnessed in the western world in particular and research has clearly shown that it is inequality that leads most strongly to unhappiness in modern society. Countries which have populations which are more or less at the same economic level are happier societies are those in which the poor are forced to confront on a daily basis their apparent inferiority to the rich. This leads to negative health outcomes (e.g. stress and health disease) and contributes to the increase in unsafe behaviour and crime.

There is certainly a need for people serving on a board (and the author has apparently served on a large number and may be trusted, therefore, to know whereof he speaks in this case) and they should be aware of their various duties and responsibilities. This book will provide knowledge of those duties and responsibilities.

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The above review was contributed by: John Walsh PhD:  Professor at Shinawatra International University CLICK TO VIEW John Walsh's Reviews