ABSTRACT
This chapter starts at the beginning of the chief executive officer (CEO)-board relationship and outlines the steps a board and CEO can take to ensure a strong and productive team relationship that will foster a climate of success where their institutions can flourish. It describes the steps that are essential for developing and maintaining a strong CEO-board team. Creating change in academic institutions that are slow moving and entrenched in tradition requires tremendous energy to overcome the inertia supported by such customs. In the selection process, the board should include methods to get broad input on the CEO candidates from the internal college community and representatives of the college district's service area. The board should also encourage and support the new CEO's participation in professional development programs offered to new CEOs. Establishing a trusting relationship in the CEO-board team takes time and effort. The team members must know their roles, and communication lines must be well established.
