In the face of public controversies, presidents and board chairs are often called upon to resolve difficult and divisive issues. When they are faced with public controversies and other challenges, a strong working relationship grounded in mutual respect and trust can make the difference between meeting the challenge head on and falling behind. Both the chair and the president should want information shared honestly. The board chair needs to hear what the president is grappling with, and the president can only be successful with direct feedback. In this article, the authors describe the key ingredients for working together effectively during challenging times.