Building a Stellar Personal Board of Directors

mentor.jpgContributed by Amy Dorn Kopelan, Co-Creator, The Guru Nation

So many talented women managers and senior executives really have what it takes to move up in their organizations, but what they often don’t have is a Personal Board of Directors ready to advise them and support them. Even when some women (and men) tell me they have a Personal Board, when I take a close look at who sits on their Board, I don’t see a deliberate assembly of people ready to jump in objectively and strategically.

I believe that one the smartest things we can do for ourselves professionally (and maybe even personally) is to assemble a stellar Personal Board of Directors and choose everyone for exactly the right reason. In truth, most Boards come together by circumstance, accident, or convenience. That’s not going to get you to stellar! This Board has to be, for your real success, that group of “Go To” people who are ready to help you think through every next step affecting your career.

How do you really assemble a stellar Board for yourself?

First, remember that your Personal Board of Directors is different than your coach or mentor. Many people mistakenly think it’s the same. Here’s the difference:

Your Board is a small group of people who know your strengths and weaknesses, but are not necessarily tied to the emotional outcome of your decisions. The commonality is people who are able to help you think, and can be objective.

Here’s how you can best get started, and create a strong and effective Board:

1. THE NAMES

In your Personal Board notebook, make a list of people who might serve but segment them into three columns:

(a) People who know you well, such as a sibling, a good friend, a partner

(b) Advisors in your professional life, such as an accountant, an attorney, a speech coach

(c) People you admire, such as a senior executive, a parent, a professor

2. THE MIX

With an extensive possibilities list in hand, decide what combination of these people would provide the best objective advice. Shoot for a good mix of professional experience, industry experience, ages, and familiarity with or knowledge of your goals and abilities. Some people find it helpful to make a grid showing each name and what each person could bring to the “party.” Mine looked something like this:

 Title Relationship to Me Special Attribute
First Name
Second Name
Third Name

If too many are family members, try to enter other names. If you have too many women, try for more men. And vice-versa. The more balanced the list becomes, the better it will serve you. Ultimately the right mix will provide the best range of ideas and counsel.

3. THE INVITATION

The best way to invite each person on your list to serve is simply by phone or email. But, be sure to explain your intention to create a Personal Board of Directors (some say “advisors”) and that you’re inviting them to serve on your Board because you respect their judgment.

Most people will be flattered and enjoy the opportunity to guide you. Let everyone know that it’s an informal process, and you won’t require meetings unless you want them, of course). What you want to convey is your desire for a advisory team that you can tap into at a decision point or a crossroads.

Board members should serve initially for 6 months. It’s important to “try them on” and make sure they are providing the guidance you need. Rotating someone off your Board after 6 months is a perfectly acceptable process because you may need new “blood,” as you progress in your career.

4. THE REVIEW

I choose to keep my Board aware of my goals and decisions. If you want to follow the same program, keep track, quarterly, of decisions you make in your business, about your career, with your colleagues, etc. These are important to review with your Board. Get their feedback and reactions. You don’t want to call upon your Board only in a moment of turmoil. They can be one of the greatest assets you will ever have surrounding you!

Amy Dorn Kopelan is the president of Bedlam Entertainment Inc, and co-creator of The Guru Nation, a business education and professional development community that provides special access to accomplished career and industry specialists, career coaches, professional networking events, and private leadership symposiums. Amy is also the co-author of I Didn’t See It Coming, a book that teaches business professionals how to avoid being blindsided in business. She has been seen on FOX and Friends, BusinessWeek online, and On The Money, and featured in CEO Magazine, Business Week, Chief Learning Officer Magazine, and CNN.com.

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