Designing the career you want takes a commitment of intention and work. And finding the time and focus to do this is not simply another thing to add to your ever-growing to-do list, it’s a fundamental exercise that, when prioritized, has the power to unlock the mysteries of where your most effective focus might be and most importantly where it should NOT be.

That’s where perspective comes in.

Surrounding yourself with a variety of people who are invested in your growth and expansion is key. Choosing those individuals is even more important but first, it’s YOU who must prepare yourself to be a good mentee to your personal board of directors.

What is a personal board of directors?

One of my favorite definitions comes from Arpad Zakar from the Centre for Aviation Psychology.

➸ It's a small group of people.

• It could be as small as three. During the course of a lifetime, it could number up to 10 or 15.

• They are actively engaged with your growth and advancement— there is an open line of communication for you to reach out to them.

• They regularly and constructively check in on your progress .

• They help you develop the whole person. The more support you have in one area of life translates to every area of your life.

• Unlike a real board of directors, this group should not have a duty of care or any fiduciary responsibility to you.

• Above all, this engagement should be one of eagerness to see you succeed.

➸ What your personal board of directors can do for you:

• Help open doors

• Expand your network.

• Be a role model.

• Offer support, whatever kind of support you might need in good times and in bad

• Teach you new skills to be a role model for you in certain areas,

• To coach you. Reminder that coaching is not the same as providing solutions. Coaching guides you to solve for yourself.

• To challenge you.

• Holds you accountable.

Getting Yourself Ready for A Personal Board of Directors

Being a good partner and mentee means coming prepared. Before one can know what to ask for from a personal board of directors, doing a deep dive on understanding yourself and your opportunities for growth is essential.

➸ Self-Assessment Questions:

• What five things do you spend most of your time doing during your day?

• How much happier/more fulfilled/more successful could you be if you felt more inspired and supported?

• Where is the stress coming from in your work?

• What conflicts are you having at work?

• What is the most fulfilling aspect of your work?

• What is the most challenging part of your work

• What is the most exciting aspect of your work?

• What strengths or skills do you have that are immediately marketable?

• What resources are missing that you feel are necessary for your success?

• If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change about your career?

➸ What you do you want help with?

Giving your “board member” an aim is being a good partner. Defining and communicating what you want help with gives them a way to organize their guidance and deliver the most effective framework in which to get there.

• Are you wanting to work toward personal balance?

• Are you aiming at higher productivity?

• Are you wanting to better self-manage?

• Are you wanting to develop your communication skills?

• Are you wanting to define and implement healthier boundaries?

• Are you wanting to deliver a higher quality of work?

• Are you wanting help in learning to take initiative?

• Are you wanting help in managing up?

• Are you wanting help in working with a team?

• Are you wanting help in finding a new career?

• Are you wanting help in asking for a raise or promotion?

• Are you wanting help in getting a job?

• Are you wanting help in doing a better job in the role you’re in?

• Are you wanting help in starting your own business?

Truthfully answering the list of questions above helps frame the conversation you’ll have with your potential board member. Showing up with a request that is clear and direct is a sign of your commitment and an effective starting point from which to engage.

Effective communication is so important that I’ve built my entire career around it. Clear and concise communication is the secret elixir behind unlocking human potential and the best news is that is ALL can be learned.

For a deeper dive into how to build, maintain and manage the actions recommended by your personal board of directors, we’ve created a highly-rated, popular lunchtime learning course, Better in 30: Build Your Board of Directors on Udemy Business.