Personal board of directors.

A personal board of directors is meant to serve you in all aspects of your career and life. Do you have one?

“A personal board of directors is ‘a group of individuals you assemble in your mind for the purpose of navigating your career and life in general.’”

— Sandra Smith, a Corporate and Executive Education Program officer at Brown University

Think about the below groupings of people who may be part of your personal board of directors:

Imagine you have a big decision to make in your career or life.

Whom would you want sitting around this table to help you make the big decision?

Those sitting at the table make up your personal board of directors.

How to make sure you have the right people on your personal board of directors

Do you have a diverse representation?

• Are there people from inside and outside of your current workplace?

• Are there people from inside and outside of your immediate industry?

• Are there people of varying experiences, especially some with more experience than you?

• Are there people who won't just say yes to you, but really ask you tough questions?

Do you take the advice of the people on your personal board of directors?

• Do they have your best interests in mind?

• Do you trust them?

If you answered no to any of these, reconsider those sitting on your personal board of directors!

A personal board of directors wants to help you to be successful! This board will change over time. Always re-assess whom you consider to be on your board and maintain your relationships with them.