Just 18% of companies now disclose changes made following board evaluations, down from 24% three years ago, according to research by Korn Ferry. This persistent decline suggests that boards are struggling to turn evaluation insights into action.
In the latest installment of our Board Excellence Series, Christine Abbamonte and Sarah Oliva, board effectiveness experts at Korn Ferry, shared what separates high-performing boards from the rest and where the biggest gaps remain.
1. Don’t just treat evaluations as compliance checkpoints
Board evaluations are now widely adopted across global markets. In many jurisdictions, they are conducted annually and considered a core element of good governance.
But frequency alone isn’t enough. “A board evaluation shouldn’t be treated as a compliance checkpoint or a routine activity you do because you’re required to,” says Sarah. “It’s really about improving the board’s impact on the organization and elevating its performance year after year in the spirit of continuous improvement.”
Boards that extract the most value from evaluations use them to identify gaps, strengthen decision-making and align their priorities with the organization’s strategic goals.
2. Adopt a more comprehensive evaluation approach
One of the clearest shifts in recent years is toward more holistic board evaluations. In 2025, 53% of companies that disclose their approach are conducting three-tier assessments, reviewing the full board, its committees and individual directors.
Individual director assessments, now used by 55% of companies, are proving particularly valuable. “Looking at individual directors helps identify skills gaps and behavioral dynamics that can affect decision-making,” says Christine.
“It’s also an opportunity for feedback. Many directors join boards after retiring from executive roles in which they often received feedback, but they rarely get it as board members.”
These assessments strengthen board dynamics, support succession planning and give directors a rare opportunity for professional development.
3. Close the gap between insight and action
Despite the growing use of board evaluations, many organisations still struggle to turn insights into tangible outcomes.
“Board evaluations often don’t translate into action, or companies aren’t always comfortable sharing the changes they make,” says Christine. “From an investor perspective, this limits transparency and raises questions about how seriously boards are taking the process.”
As governance standards place greater emphasis on follow-up, boards that are open about the changes they make are more likely to build trust with stakeholders.
4. Learn from the world’s most admired companies
To understand what makes a board high-performing, Korn Ferry examined businesses in the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies ranking and the S&P 500. Their analysis reveals a clear pattern: leading businesses tend to go beyond the basics in their board evaluations.
For example, 58% of the world’s most admired companies use multiple feedback methods, including surveys, interviews and group discussions, compared with 45% of the broader S&P 500. They are also more likely to engage third parties (42% versus 33%) and to disclose the topics covered in their evaluations (68% versus 56%).
These practices reflect a more comprehensive, transparent and insight-driven approach, raising the bar for board effectiveness.
5. Focus on what really drives board effectiveness
What a board chooses to evaluate is just as important as how it conducts the assessment. Korn Ferry’s “Four Ps” framework helps organizations focus their efforts:
- Purpose: Alignment on strategy, risk and the board’s role relative to management
- People: The composition, skills and development of the board
- Process: How work gets done, from setting agendas to sharing information
- Partnership: The culture in the boardroom and the relationship with management
Boards that perform well across these four areas are better positioned to provide strategic value to their organizations.
Watch the Board Excellence Series
These insights are part of our Board Excellence Series, where governance leaders share practical lessons on strengthening board effectiveness.
Register for the full series for more perspectives on how boards can build the skills, transparency and leadership needed for long-term success.