Companies must be cautious that the information disseminated by employees on both company and personal social media pages complies with federal securities laws.

Smaller boards consisting of directors who have more relevant industry experience will be the most useful to a company, writes Robert C. Pozen.

Heidrick & Struggles Vice Chairman Stephen A. Miles outlines the key challenges for CEOs in the new year, especially given ongoing scrutiny of the corner office since the financial crisis began.

While very few companies are making lead director succession a priority, it should be just as important of a consideration as CEO succession.

Mark Hurd's grandiose severance package following his resignation from HP may be unwarranted, as some believe he does not meet the requirement of separating "not for cause."

A dialogue about board priorities, composition and shareholder confidence.

Success comes from courageous board leadership, which includes a humility and a recognition of commitment to the company and its shareholders.

Boards must have plans in place for crisis responses before they occur.

An effective fraud reporting process can make an immense difference in a company's survival.

The 2010 NACD Annual Survey of Public Company Governance has found that strategy planning, risk oversight and corporate performance are at the forefront of directors' focus.

An invitation to directors to engage in the rule-making process from the SEC’s Mary Schapiro.

Deloitte's analysis of new risk disclosures reveals the oversight practices of the S&P 500.

The 2010 Report of the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Audit Committee offers practical perspectives, suggestions and leading practices on what makes an audit committee effective.

KPMG LLP's Mary Pat McCarthy discusses the NACD Blue Ribbon Commission on the Audit Committee's 10 principles for effective audit committee oversight.

Dr. Robert A. Howell emphasized at a recent NACD Director Professionalism® course in Tampa that one does not need to be a financial expert to understand the board’s role in defining, monitoring and driving value for shareholders.

Companies should utilize social media to assist with shareholder communications.

Companies must ensure they have a strong whistleblower hotline program established in light of the Dodd-Frank Act's whistleblowing provisions.

New revisions to organizational crime sentencing guidelines signify the expectation for boards to be involved in ethics oversight.

Leading a company in 2011 will require that the CEO take on multiple roles in addition to his or her traditional responsibilities.

While the SEC's proxy access rules are pending a court decision, boards should be asking themselves if they are prepared to face heightened shareholder engagement.