Corporate Governance and Bob Garratt's Maturity Levels

The text analyzes the second level of board maturity—the 'reluctant compliance' phase. This is a stage where directors realize the legal and moral responsibilities of their role, yet treat it as a burdensome obligation rather than a tool for value creation. The author warns against the trap of defensive compliance: an approach based on formally 'checking boxes' to avoid penalties instead of real risk management. Such an attitude creates an illusion of security and separates corporate governance from business strategy. The article indicates that moving toward professionalism requires a shift in mindset: from asking how to justify oneself before a regulator, to asking whether a decision is good for the long-term health and resilience of the organization.