This book examines the practical application and potential pitfalls of policy governance in organizational leadership. The author, John Carver, draws upon his experience in building an organization and its governing structure from the ground up to share critical lessons learned. It delves into specific case histories, highlighting challenges faced by boards and offering insights into how things can go wrong when implementing governance frameworks. The work aims to provide a practical guide for effective board leadership.

This work is presented as a practical case history by its author, John Carver, a known figure in the field of governance. The content focuses on the application and potential issues of the Policy Governance model, suggesting it is aimed at practitioners and students of organizational leadership. The book's approach emphasizes lessons learned from real-world experience, indicating a focus on actionable insights for board members and executives.