As members of Generation Y are prepping for their careers in college or slowly navigating the professional world, there is one solid business practice they probably should all adapt in their personal lives. Create a personal board of directors.
All public companies have a board of directors to monitor and steer the company’s progress. Usually the members of the board are from varying areas of expertise; the board isn’t comprised solely of individuals within the company. Because of their “outsider’s view”, the board can more effectively advise and make tough decisions.
The same is true of a personal board of directors. A varied group of people can help you more effectively navigate your road to success.
Who should you invite? You should have at least 4 to 6 members of your board and they should be people who share your same values. Amy Dorn Kopelan, co-author of I Didn’t See It Coming, a book that teaches business professionals how to avoid being blindsided in business, suggests you make a list of people you know and trust, then sort them into three columns:
a) People you know well such as a good friend, a sibling, partner
b) Advisors in your professional life, such as an accountant, an attorney , a speech coach
c) People you admire, such as a senior executive, a parent, a professor
Then sort through the list, pulling people from each column, creating groups to see what provides the best balance of men vs. women, younger vs. more experienced, experience in your career path vs. experience in other areas, etc.
Once you’ve landed on a good mix, reach out. Let them know you trust them and respect their opinions and will be reaching out for advice or counsel.
Then actually use your Personal Board of Directors. Pick their brains as you reach a crossroads, as you near graduation and as you start advancing in your career. Circle back with them, let them know what’s happening, keep the dialog open.
Most members of Generation Y are in their twenties, a time widely known as the decade of decisions. While faced with some of most critical decisions you’ll make in your lifetime, educated and well-intended advice will be a welcome help. Appointing a personal board of directors can empower you as you make these important decisions and head down your own road to success.
Reader feedback: Do you have a personal board of directors? How have they helped you?
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Comments
Create my own personal board of directors? Somehow, it just doesn't fit me.
Excellent. Sound advice. For me I called it my coaching staff (a.k.a. mentors), but sometimes I found it beneficial to learn from people in history as well, more specifically artists.
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