Okay then if people are so much smarter then tech companies on how to make it work let's see it.
See what you get for jumping the gun? LOLHey look. KGI was wrong, they just showed the puck.
Yes, BODs do not openly question day-to-day operations. That is not their task. But they are concerned with the overall growth of the company and if they see a leader that isn't capable of that they do no hesitate to make a move. That is why effective boards have independent members, not "yes" people. As you say it even happened to Jobs, kicked out of his own company.
Also I'm a bit confused by your use of "promotion" in regards to BOD. There is no promotion there. One is nominated then elected to be on the board. If you are on the board of a major company you are likely either a current or former senior exec at some other company or a proxy for a major investor. No BOD is concerned about promotion, just not being part of a company that makes a goof. Apple's BODs except for Cook is 100% independent of Apple employees.
Sorry for the confusion, I can see how you made that leap. But its not what I meant. I was responding to your comment about Cooks advisors, which are the executive suite, not the board. Board members are nominated by the controlling shareholders. The BODs rarely represent shareholders at large. Their job is to protect and go along with a few of the large shareholders. Board members are judges, not advisors.
It works the same way for Cook to the board as it does for the executive team to Cook. Again to satisfy a normal board, you just tell them what they expect to hear by producing financials they expect. Don't rock the boat.
And, for the most part, BODs could care less about the future (more than 1 year), what they want is success this quarter, nothing else. As long as the directors look good, the PR looks good, and the financials look good, they'll go along with just about anything that does not step outside of their normality. Now an activist board member changes everything, but Apple does not have one.
Yes, I made that "leap" as you put it because you wrote "I've worked in a number of board rooms." Anyway no need to talk down to me. I understand corporate governance.