Creating a Personal Board of Advisors

By Amy Dorn Kopelan
Co-Author of: I DIDN’T SEE IT COMING

So many talented women managers, and senior executives, have what it takes to move up in their organizations, but what they often don’t have is a Personal Board of Directors to advise them. If you have a Board in place, consisting of four or five key players, you’ll always have that group of “Go To” people who are ready to help you think through next steps or tough decisions affecting your career. A lot of women managers tell me that they want a Board, but when it comes down to it, very few know how to assemble one, who should be on it, and how to begin the process. Others think it’s only for senior executives, and that’s just not so. The earlier in your career that you can have “Go To” people in your cosmos, the better armed you are to make smart decisions because the Board is there is guide you.

Your Board is different than coaches and mentors. Many people mistakenly think it’s the same. 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 who can be objective.

In comparison, mentors usually serve as guideposts inside your company and talented coaches encourage you to go the extra mile or try the things that are tougher to tackle.

Here’s the best way to get started, and create a strong and effective Board:

1. On a piece of paper, make a list of people who could serve on your Board but segment them into three columns:
   1. People who know you well, such as a sibling, a good friend, a partner
   2. Advisors in your professional life, such as an accountant, an attorney, a speech coach
   3. People in your circle you admire, such as a senior executive, a parent, a professor
2. Look at your list and decide what combination of these people would provide the best objective advice. You should shoot for a good mix of professional experience, industry experience, age, and knowledge of your abilities. You might even make a grid showing each name and what they bring to the “party.”
3. Contact each person, tell them your intention to create a Personal Board of Advisors. Explain that you’re inviting them to serve on your Board because you respect their judgment and value their opinion. It’s not more complicated than that. 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. What you want to assemble is a “Go To” group who can advise whenever you are at a crossroads.