Companies have a board of directors.
The group provides high-level guidance on business strategy and performance.
Board members offer an outside perspective and have different areas of expertise.
What if we had the same for our career development?
A group of advisors who would look at where we have been.
Where we want to go.
And provide input on our path forward.
There are many decisions in our career that we just want to talk through.
A spouse or close friend is a great sounding board.
However, they may be too close to the situation and/or have a vested interest in the direction.
This is where considering a personal board of directors comes in.
This group would be comprised of 3-5 individuals who you trust and can turn to for guidance and advice.
My Perspective
There are times in your career that calling on a “board” would be helpful.
This could be an ongoing quarterly group or one that meets less frequently.
You might call them together once every year when setting plans for the year ahead.
Or every 3-5 years when you are considering a career move.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Know Your Why – Before creating a personal board of directors, ensure you are clear on your goals. Where are looking for guidance? Are there specific areas that you want to improve? What kind of support do you need?
- Select Members Carefully – Create a list of 7-10 possible members that you trust. From that, narrow down to a group of 3-5. The small group should have diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In addition, consider if some of them have experience in the areas that you are looking to focus on.
- Align on Expectations – When asking individuals to participate, be clear on what you are asking of them. Define the time commitment, type of input you are looking for, and why you believe they would be a great addition to the group.
Once the group is established, host the session.
Create a structure with specific areas open for discussion.
Have enough content to get everyone on the same page but allow plenty of time for discussion.
You will learn what works and what doesn’t from the first experience to improve future events.
Your Turn
Have you ever used a Personal Board of Directors?
Who are the 3-5 people you would turn to for this experience?
What areas would they be able to help support you?