Who will you include on your personal board of directors?
A number of years ago, I needed to make a big career decision. It had been brewing for a while, and I had been wrestling internally about what to do. It was clear the time had come to make a decision and move forward.
Before reaching a final decision (and I do mean final, there would be no way to undo this one), I reached out to a previous manager and long-time mentor for advice.
What options do you see for me in this situation?
How might you suggest I handle X? Or Y?
What would you do, if you were in my shoes?
We talked through options, approaches, and strategies. By the time we were done talking, I felt like I had a better sense of what I was actually considering, and the impact of my decisions. I had a new sense of perspective.
Have you ever needed a conversation like that?
Last week, I shared the concept of a personal board of directors, the voices who influence the decisions we make and the person we become. The first classification of board members are the internal voices who probably already take up real estate in our heads - the Inner Critic, the Inner Guide, and the Voice of Reason (check out that post to learn more).
To round out your personal board, you’ll want to consider which external voices you want to include. These are the people in your circle who have useful insights and perspectives, the ones who help you make better decisions than you can on your own.
Four kinds of external board members you may want to consider are:
Mentors and Advisors
This is often the most common persona we think about when we consider a board of directors. Those who know enough, and have lived enough, to direct. To offer guidance, to open up possibilities, to share their wisdom. To help us see what is possible. They may share their own life or professional experience with us. They’re often great at listening, and usually even better at asking questions. They reflect back what they’re hearing, offer advice when we need it, and give us space.
Some of these find their way into our lives through established channels, like a manager at work, or an advisor or mentor assigned through a program. Often, we get connected serendipitously through an introduction from a family member or a friend, or a random encounter at a coffee shop. They’re often the person who comes to mind when we’re facing that big situation.
Collaborators
These are the folks who partner with us on the work at hand. Rather than offering the advice and guidance that a mentor or advisor does, they’re with us in the work. Asking questions. Reflecting back what they’re learning and hearing from us, with us for the experiments and the aftermath.
This might be our spouse/partner who knows us well. Or a close colleague at work, someone who is deep in it with us. It could be a coach you engage, helping bring new awareness and insights. Or a peer who is at a similar point in their own journey.Thought Leaders
These are the folks we admire and respect, but usually from afar. While we don’t actually engage with them as an active participant, they give us inspiration and advice to consider. Their guidance comes when we ask ourselves the question “what would [insert thought leader here] do?”
It might be an author who teaches us a new way of seeing the world. Or a speaker who inspires us to look at things with a different light. Or a role model who upholds the principles we hold dear.Believers
While we need board members who can help us come to new insights and ideas and shed a light on the path forward, we especially need a few voices in our lives who are there just because they believe in us. Those who will cheer us on and love us no matter what.
This could be family members or close friends. Members of a spiritual community or support group. The coffee shop barista who always lifts our spirits. The people we go to when we need to borrow some confidence and courage to move forward.
There are often more people interested in being on our board of directors than we have open spots. People with opinions that just aren’t helpful or welcome. Consider the advice from Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly - Are those people in the arena with you?
If they are, if they’re people you respect and trust, consider including them on your personal board of directors, even if only for a season.
Next week, I’ll share tips to help you maximize the value you can get from your board of directors.
How do your external board members of mentors and advisors, collaborators, thought leaders, and believers show up in your life?
As you think about your personal board of directors, you probably realize there’s opportunity to explore this further. Want some help? Book your free strategy session and let’s dig in.
How will you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
October 3, 2024
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
Book your free strategy session.
