How to Build a Personal Board of Directors

Stop going to the hardware store for bread. What I mean by that is: You have to know who is on your Personal Board of Directors. And what roles they play. Your parents? Are likely not interested in your “unsafe & inconsistent” entrepreneurial pursuits. So it’s not wise to go to them for validation of your success. Instead, what you need is a Personal Board of Directors. A carefully curated group that understands the language of your big audacious goals. Here's how to construct your own supportive council: 1. A mentor or coach Seek out a seasoned mentor or coach who has navigated the entrepreneurial terrain. This advisor can share insights, provide guidance & help you steer clear of potential pitfalls. Look for someone who's been in the trenches, overcome challenges & is willing to share their hard-earned wisdom. 2. The cheerleader Everyone needs a cheerleader who's not just excited about your victories but understands the ups and downs. This person fuels your motivation, celebrates your wins & uplifts you during setbacks. 3. The real talker Include someone who won't sugarcoat the truth & isn't afraid to challenge your ideas. This brutally honest confidant could also be a coach, but is someone who will keep you grounded, offer constructive criticism and valuable feedback. Their insights may be tough to swallow, but they're essential for growth. 4. The connector Building relationships is key. Identify a “connector” who knows how to link people, opportunities & resources. This person can introduce you to potential collaborators, clients, or investors. Their expansive network becomes an extension of your own, opening doors you might not have discovered alone. 5. The innovator Surround yourself w/ creativity. An innovator brings fresh perspectives, inspiring you to think outside the box. This individual may not be from your industry but has a knack for innovation. Their unconventional ideas can spark your creativity and help you approach challenges with a different mindset. 6. The accountability holder Progress requires accountability. Choose someone who keeps you on track w/ your goals. This person will challenge you when you falter, ensuring you stay committed to your vision. Regular check-ins and honest assessments make them an indispensable asset on your board. 7. The self-compassion steward Make sure you have someone on your board who reminds you to be kind to yourself. Inner Critic can get vocal, especially when you are doing something new or scary. Having a confidant who helps you remember what is true & reminds you to treat yourself with compassion is essential for sustaining your purpose. Your Personal Board of Directors doesn't have to be overly expansive or large. Quality > quantity. Work to carefully curate individuals who align with your vision, challenge your thinking, and uplift your spirit. They will be the pillars of support that will help you navigate your journey with resilience and success.

🧵 How to build a *personal* board of advisors: My personal board of advisors is one of my greatest assets in life. Unlike mentors, my personal board of advisors is deeply invested in my career. If I were starting over, here’s how I’d do it… Step 1: Dream big 💭 Mentors are 2 steps ahead + loosely involved in your success. Advisers are 200 steps ahead + deeply committed to your success. Identify individuals who have extensive experience in your field. Age isn’t as critical as expertise and willingness to teach. Step 2: Identify pathways 🛣️ In the first five years of your career, identify 3 directions you can see your career going. For me, it was: 💰 Finance - go to business school 📈 Marketing - learn SEO and search 👩🏼💻 Tech - learn how to code I naturally gravitated towards tech. Step 3: Connect 🤝 Reach out online. Be concise but personal. Explain who you are, why you value their insight, and what you hope to achieve via the relationship. Suggest a lightweight commitment (15 mins/qtr) to respect their time. Be really specific about the commitment. Step 4: Be hyper-specific 🎯 Schedule an initial meeting to discuss the relationship's objectives, expectations, and structure. Share an agenda outlining the critical discussion points, updates on your progress, and specific challenges you're facing. Act on feedback. Step 5: Evolve Your Board 🦄 As your career evolves, so too will your advisory needs. Review the composition of your board annually. Transition some advisors out and others in to align with your career stage and goals. I re-evaluate my board every 2 years. Step 5: Reciprocate 🌱 Engage in a two-way relationship with your advisors, As you advance in your career, advise other emerging professionals. I advise a handful of women every year. Contribute to a culture of supportive professional development. Building a personal board of advisors is an intentional effort that has 10x’ed my career. ❤️ You can do it too, by following these 6 steps: 1. Dream big 💭 2. Identify pathways 🛣️ 3. Connect 🤝 4. Be hyper-specific 🎯 5. Evolve Your Board 🦄 6. Reciprocate 🌱

There's lots of talk these days about building your Personal Board of Directors - that group of people who can provide you with guidance, support, and advice in your career growth & personal life. This is something I first learned about in 2016 when I applied & was accepted into a women's leadership incubator in the Silicon Valley through The CLUB - An Incubator of Women Leaders. The personal BOD is a strategy I doubled down on & diligently built a trustworthy group around me consisting of mentors, peers, friends, coaches & colleagues...who've advised me on everything: 👉 entrepreneurship 👉 writing (content, posts, TEDx script,...) 👉 legal (redlining contracts, job offers,...) 👉 marketing 👉 branding 👉 selling into technical stakeholders 👉 and yes....dating, travel, wine tasting, surfing, crypto, parenting,.... The practice of building my Personal Board of Directors has given me the strength to be vulnerable & authentic, and it's helped me trust my leadership instincts. More importantly, it's enabled me to move away from those who never truly had my back. Do you have a PBOD? If not, here's what you need to do: ✅ get out a pad of paper ✅ make a list of the people you admire &/or trust the most (known or not**) ✅ identify areas where you could use support ✅ match them ✅ find any gaps & gravitate to peeps who can help I have PBOD members who know they have this role, some don't - I just go to them for guidance & they're always open. I have PBOD members I've known for a lifetime & some I reached out to in recent years, because I respected their expertise & it became a trusting relationship. I have some I hired to coach me & it's evolved. So much gratitude for community & PBOD. ❤️ (**Okay, maybe not Taylor Swift)