As board evaluation processes mature, directors are becoming more willing to conduct in-depth evaluations of their peers and the full board, including asking members of management to describe their perspective on the board’s overall effectiveness via a third-party consultant. Though management’s input was once thought to be an unnecessary source of information, boards and consultants that have sought it in the form of oral, anonymous interviews say that doing so can verify that directors are asking helpful questions and providing solid feedback, experts say. It can also let boards know if they should modify their approach, or if there are skills executives would like to see represented on the board.

After all, says Beverly Behan, president of Board Advisor, the management team discusses the board after every meeting.

“Wouldn’t you as a board want to know what the management team actually thinks of you?” says Behan. “They’re all at the bar talking about you, so you might as well find out what they’re saying.”