The goal of this study is essentially twofold. First, it seeks to improve the efficiency of management in Russian companiesthrough a revitalisation of perspectives on the makeup and activity of boards of directors. Second, it seeks to develop amotivation among controlling shareholders to strengthen the actual role of such boards in managing companies. Thiscombined approach is intended to be applicable to both public and private companies.The objective of this study is to search for ways to refocus on standard recommendations for international best practiceregarding the work of boards of directors. These recommendations should consider best practices in terms of generalcompany control and supervision, the in-depth study of key business processes, management innovations, technologies,and tools to promote new management approaches. A feature of this investigation will be the identification of ideas toensure the best paths towards overcoming psychological barriers that impede the adoption of innovative and novel ideasby management.This article provides a comparative analysis of the classic Anglo-US model of corporate governance (which features therole of boards of directors as the body exercising control and supervision over the company’s activities and its management), with the Russian model. The Russian model is characterised by a structure which nominally replicates thepractice of developed countries, whereby the real power rests with the controlling shareholders and management, withthe boards playing a secondary role by approving the plans of the company activities and their results.Given this situation, the boards of directors of Russian companies should prove their capability to contribute to thecreation of economic value. Examples of essential management areas in which boards of directors should implement thefunction of management development are: strategic planning, creating and improving competitiveness, building up anddeveloping the company’s human capital, risk management, and internal control. This article suggests efficient practicesand tools which can be used by a board of directors for management development.