Three best practices for CEOs reporting to a Board

Three best practices for CEOs reporting to a Board
Foto: Agnes Etienne

Written by: Chul Christian Aamodt, Partner in Metrics Venture

With more than 20 years of board experience — and years as a CEO reporting into boards myself — I’ve learned that great board reporting is not about volume, but about clarity, honesty, and actionable leadership.

1. Present the real numbers — not the flattering ones

Boards reward accuracy. Show the true state of the business and explain the underlying drivers.

2. Turn every issue into a proposed action

Don’t hand over problems. Present each challenge with a recommended path forward so the board can decide, not diagnose.

3. Make your logic and required support explicit

Explain how you think, why you prioritise as you do, and what you need from the board. Precision creates alignment and speed.