About the author -- Icons -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1. The nature of the beast -- 2. A rose by any other name -- 3. Scaling the peak -- 4. Board members - and others - beware -- 5. The risk business -- 6. 'Ill met' - without method -- 7. A meeting's two key players - The Chairman and Secretary -- 8. Board without boredom -- 9. An inspector calls -- 10. Setting an example -- 11. 'He who communicates leads' -- 12. Meeting the owners -- 13. Going public -- 14. 'Write a better book' -- 15. No such thing as bad publicity? -- 16. 'A personal viewpoint' -- 17. 'Comparability and consultation' -- 18. 'Directing now' -- Appendices.