Grit in the Boardroom - Executive Interviews on Corporate Governance and Risk Management

Execution Over Ego: The Boardroom Decisions That Make-or-Break Governance

10 snips

Feb 25, 2026

Ram Charan, global advisor to CEOs and bestselling author known for execution and board effectiveness. He discusses why boards must pick and, if needed, replace CEOs quickly. He contrasts board structures across markets and the power of the chair. He explains how courage, disciplined execution and AI-driven operating models reshape governance and leadership.

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INSIGHT

Foundational Business Lessons From A Shoe Shop

Early shopkeeping taught Ram Charan the universal mechanics of business like pricing, buying, and inventory that scale across industries.
He credits running his family's shoe shop by age 12 for being able to diagnose any company's pressures within hours using the same basic commercial language.

INSIGHT

Board's Core Job Is Getting The Right CEO

The single most important job of any board is to select, coach and replace the CEO when required.
Ram argues tenure under five years often signals a poor fit and boards fail when they hesitate despite clear signals.

ADVICE

Use Executive Sessions And Onsite Visits

Boards must dig beyond CEO-supplied briefings by meeting people, customers and using executive sessions to get independent insight.
Ram recommends directors proactively visiting sites and using sessions without the CEO to surface blind spots.

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Drawing on decades of experience advising organisations including General Electric, Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo and Nike, Ram Charan knows that the most important job of any board is selecting, coaching and, when necessary, replacing the chief executive officer (CEO). The truth is that boardroom decisions rarely fail because of a lack of intelligence. They fail because of hesitation and ego, and they depend on courage and disciplined execution.

In this episode of Grit in the Boardroom, Erika Eliasson-Norris - CEO of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the UK’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry - sits down with Ram Charan - Global Advisor to CEOs & Corporate Boards and Best Selling Author - to explore what really drives corporate governance, strategic decision-making and tough leadership decisions inside the C-suite.

From risk management and high-stakes strategy to company culture and business resilience, he explains why board effectiveness depends on differences in chair power, especially during corporate scandal or growth under pressure. Clear chair perspectives improve oversight, align strategic decision-making and reinforce long-term business resilience.

What you’ll find in this episode of Grit in the Boardroom:

Why boardroom decisions stall even when warning signs are obvious, and how sharper director dialogue strengthens accountability.

How leadership decisions at the C-suite level hinge on fit and timing rather than polished succession plans.

Why governance structures in different markets shape accountability in different ways. These structural differences directly influence risk management and long-term performance.

How reducing hierarchy and redesigning operating models can support meaningful company culture change.

Grit in the Boardroom is a bi-weekly podcast where Erika Eliasson-Norris sits down with the best in business for executive interviews. She and her guests explore corporate governance beyond the sealed doors of the C-suite.