What is a personal board and how could it accelerate your career?

Finding a group of people in your career life that form your personal boardroom could be the difference you need to boost your career success. Similar to a company that has a board of directors this is you choosing your board of directors to help you achieve your career aims.

Zella King and Amanda Scott's book 'Who is in your Personal Boardroom?' gives you a way of thinking about a personal network that would specifically and purposefully move you towards your individual career and leadership goals. But you need to think through who you need right now and what role they will take.

There are around 12 potential roles on a personal board falling into 3 areas. You may not need all of them!

Inspirer – helps you with your creative thinking, can help generate new ideas or someone with who you can bounce creative ideas.

Expert – really understand the area you're working in and are happy to share knowledge and give advice in your professional sector. Possibly a similar role to a mentor.

Customer Voice – happy to talk about the customer, their journey, and the marketplace

Navigator – tells you who you need to know and who does what in the organisation, sector, or industry

Unlocker – can give you access to resources – people/time/money

Sponsor – endorses you and your ideas to more senior people in the organisation or sector. They're happy to sing your praises and suggest you for opportunities

Influencer – works behind the scenes to gather support for you and get things going

Connector – makes introductions and connects you with the people who can help you.

Improver – gives you candid and constructive feedback. Tells you how things are landing and how you come across. Can help identify where your blind spots are.

Challenger – challenges your decisions and your thinking. May have a completely different way of thinking to you but makes you face up to your blind spots and move away from groupthink. Stretches you!

Nerve Giver/Cheerleader – strengthens your resolve and reminds you of your purpose.

Anchor – is a grounding influence and holds you to account.

As you can see there are lots of roles BUT you don't need to have all of them right now. Some may be more appropriate later in your career, or at specific points. Plus one person may fulfill more than one role for you, your Navigator may also be your Connector.

Firstly do a little review – who is performing any of the roles for you at the moment. Identify the gaps and consider how you can find someone who can fulfill the missing role for you.

Next, consciously connect with them and find ways to engage them and interest them in your career. Think about how you can help them too, rather than it all being one way. You can tell them about your Personal Board but you don't have to.

Actively identifying people who can help you in your career and engaging with them will definitely help you move forward faster in your career. There is no reason you have to 'go it alone'. And think how you can pay it forward – who in your network could you assume one of the Personal Board roles for?

Need help planning your career success, get in touch for a free consultation.