A Board’s Job Is To Challenge Short-Term Profit with Katja Rieger (Switzerland)

Send us Fan MailProfit-only thinking sounds efficient right up until it produces a board that cannot see the people, risks, and long-term consequences sitting right in front of it. We sit down with governance specialist Katja Rieger to unpack what responsibility in the boardroom actually means: stewardship, ethical judgement, and decision-making that includes stakeholders rather than treating them as afterthoughts.We get practical about how boards work at their best. Katja Rieger explains why the CEO’s job is delivery, while the board’s job is challenge and balance, especially when quarterly targets squeeze out longer-term risk management. We talk UK corporate governance lessons, the value of independent non-executive directors, and why separating the chair and CEO roles matters for board independence and oversight.Then we move into the conversations many boards postpone until it is too late: cyber attack response, red lines, and the importance of agreeing roles and principles before a crisis hits. From there, we dig into board diversity and psychological safety, including why having more than one woman on the board changes the quality of discussion, improves risk awareness, and can strengthen investor confidence. We also name the real blockers: trust networks, comfort with the status quo, and hiring based on familiarity instead of competencies like courage, constructive conflict skills, and integrity.If you care about board effectiveness, responsible leadership, and governance that holds up under pressure, this is for you. Subscribe, share with a director or founder, and leave a review. What is one boardroom question you think every organisation should ask earlier?Music, lyrics, guitar and singing by Dr Ariel Rosita KingTeach me to live one day at a timewith courage love and a sense of pride.Giving me the ability to love and accept myselfso I can go and give it to someone else.Teach me to live one day at a time.....Support the showThe Business of LifeDr Ariella (Ariel) Rosita KingOriginal Song, "Teach Me to Live one Day At A Time"written, guitar and vocals by Dr. Ariel Rosita KingDr King Solutions (USA Office)1629 K St, NW #300, Washington, DC 20006, USA, +[email protected]