Jonathan Goodman is a vice Chair and member of the board of Deloitte Canada, where he leads the firm’s CEO and Boardroom programs, including Deloitte Canada’s Podium Club for Directors. He is also Global Chair and former global Managing Partner of Monitor Deloitte. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of strategy, governance and CEO leadership. We dive into boardroom strategy and risk management, exploring the top strategic issues boards should focus on in 2025, from geopolitics and technological innovations to disruptions and the evolving future of talent. We also compare governance approaches between private and public companies and examine the critical role of culture in shaping strategy. If you like this show, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing this podcast on social media. You can also contribute by subscribing to the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at evanepstein.substack.com This podcast is sponsored by the American College of Governance Counsel.
(0:00) Intro
(1:35) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel
(2:21) Start of interview
(3:00) Jonathan's origin story
(5:10) His start in journalism
(7:05) Founding Monitor Canada with Roger Martin (1987)
(9:43) Transitioning to Deloitte Monitor (2013)
(12:18) About Deloitte Canada’s Podium Club for Directors that he leads.
(13:38) How Trump's tariffs may impact Canada (note: this podcast was recorded on 1/24, before tariffs went into place)
(17:57) What is strategy? "I think of strategy as choice"
(20:20) The role of the board in strategy. "The best CEOs seek advice from their boards, not a grade"
(25:39) The questions board members ask matter. "The question is the asset" "Ask questions and question the answers"
(30:40) Rethinking Board Information Approaches *Reference to Netflix board case study
(33:30) Embracing Uncertainty and Risk
(37:55) Private vs. Public Strategy Dynamics
(42:10) The Role of Culture and Talent in Strategy (scope of company founders)
(46:55) Key Strategic Priorities for Directors (beyond idiosyncrasies of each company): 1) Geopolitics; 2) Technological Shifts (AI, Cyber, etc); and 3) Talent (Workforce and People).
(53:10) Books that have greatly influenced his life:
(55:58) His mentors.
(56:41) Quotes that he thinks of often or lives his life by.
Jonathan Goodman is a vice Chair and member of the board of Deloitte Canada, where he leads the firm’s CEO and Boardroom programs, including Deloitte Canada’s Podium Club for Directors. He is also Global Chair and former global Managing Partner of Monitor Deloitte.