Have you ever wished you had a personal board of directors? It’s like having your own personal group of experts to call on for advice when navigating life’s toughest choices and opportunities.
A Personal Board of Directors (PBD) is a group of people that can help you navigate work or life in a way that you can’t do on your own. For women, personal boards of directors are especially empowering as they provide an excellent support system and unique level of camaraderie.
Strategically selecting 4 – 6 people to be on your PBD can help you be more efficient and effective in how you live, work, and play. The pride that comes with having a personal board dedicated to helping you reach the pinnacle of success is undeniable.
Why Do Women Need a Personal Board of Directors?
It’s no secret that women often face personal, professional and life challenges that men don’t. That’s why having a personal board of directors is the perfect resolution to helping provide insight through those inevitable times of difficulty and growth.
This personal board would be made up of strong, independent personal advisors who bring their individual knowledge bases. Whether you need to make a big decision regarding your career or personal life, your PBD will have your back with sound advice and emotional support.
So, if you’re feeling those tough moments in life and could use some help strategizing for the best possible results going forward, start assembling your personal board of directors!
6 Types of People for Your Personal Board of Directors
The Connector
This is someone who knows all the right people or they know how to get you connected to the right people you need when you need them.
The Thinker
This is someone who can help you think through all sides of an idea, opportunity, life event, etc. and help you brainstorm and think more strategically.
The Cheerleader
This is a friend who will always be in your corner no matter what and will be a positive influence on you when negative thinking tries to keep you from moving forward.
The Confidant
This is a friend you can sit with for hours and talk to about anything and everything. This type of friendship is invaluable.
The Entrepreneur
This is someone who has left it all behind to start something new.
The Dream Killer (aka the one you aren’t even sure likes you)
This is someone who isn’t afraid to say no to you or hurt your feelings, because let’s face it, we all need this sometimes.
Should Your Personal Board of Directors Only Include Women?
No! Remember, the objective of your personal board of directors is to help you navigate in ways you can’t do on your own. Seeking diverse perspectives, life experiences, points of views, values, etc. will enhance the success of your board and you.
One challenge is being vulnerable and consistently including your Dream Killer during critical ventures of your life. While it’s great to hear from those who support you and cheer you on, it’s equally as important to those who support you in another way. Those who will support you with some tough love or say things out loud that you may not want to hear.
At the end of the day, the decision is always yours. However, your PBD can push you to think about things in ways you hadn’t considered and open up their network to you to help you make the best decision for you. Think of your personal board of directors as mentoring on steroids. It allows you to have not just one but multiple people to lean on when you need it most.
Don’t forget the importance of serving either. As you are identifying who will be on your board, try to think about who you can serve as a mentor as well!
So, who is on your personal board of directors? Grab a piece of paper and write them out!
