Have you ever considered creating a “Personal Advisory Board?” Not a Board of Directors like at a business, corporation or a non-profit, but a “Personal Board of Advisors” for the business of YOU!
Yes, YOU. And ME. There are times in all of our lives when we’re looking for advice or a ‘sounding board’ when we’re at a crossroads or dealing with a tough situation at work.
If you could have anyone, who would you like on your Board of Advisors?
Kathleen says, “I’d ask Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, and Justin Timberlake! How about you?” Tracy says, “I’d ask Dali Lama, Maya Angelou, and Brené Brown.” Ahh, The Dream Team!
Who do you want on your Board?
Who do you admire? Who challenges you? Who can you count on? Who can help you assess your skills?
Your Personal Advisors can include people you admire or who’s career you want to emulate, but more practically, these are people you know with diverse backgrounds and experience from any generation. That brings wisdom and confidence.
They can offer practical advice, critique your resume, open up their personal network, and expand your vision with a fresh set of eyes about what’s possible for you professionally.
And they can check-in with you, asking questions to help you move forward. Questions like, ‘Have you considered this? Thought about that? Who are you talking to?”
How are feeling? How’s your energy? Your confidence? All of these questions – judgment-free.
The Advisory Board does not include people in your tribe or friend group or even your colleagues. Chances are they’re going through the same challenges as you. And they aren’t mentors.
People can get confused about the difference between a mentor, a sponsor, and an Advisory Board.
A mentor is an experienced person in a field who helps you develop specific skills to grow personally and professionally.
A sponsor helps you to climb higher, faster by talking with influential people about you.
But in the meantime, you need a group of people who know you well, understand you, who have your best interest at heart, and who have nothing to gain. They simply want the best for you. That’s your Personal Advisory Board.
For the next 30 days, make a List of People in your life you admire and trust. Create your own Dream Team and feel more confident
And practice saying this: “I’m developing my personal Advisory Board, Board of Advisors, or Professional Dream Team and I didn’t want to miss the chance to ask you if you’d like to be on my Board.”