Companies have them, why shouldn’t you? I’m talking about a personal “Board of Directors.” Can you think of 4, 5 or 6 individuals who you admire, people you look up to and whose opinion you respect? Consider asking them to join your personal “Board of Directors.”
1. Consider the roles each person on your board will play. Consider having someone who asks clear (and sometimes hard) questions, a connector who leads you to other people, a challenger who helps you act boldly, and a wise elder or sage. You want to draw upon the wisdom of people with diverse perspectives who think differently than you do.
2. By forming a personal board, you now have the ability to tap into wisdom and experience that you normally would not have access to as well as developing a support network.
3. Often in making big decisions, not enough options are considered. A Personal Board of Directors will help you to see the bigger picture.
4. Your relationship with your personal board is all about "win-win", so you must be willing to give as much as you receive. Consider ways to add value to their lives and their work.
5. The most effective board will be a group of people who bring a breadth of skills, experience and diversity to your life. Ideally, members of the board should have backgrounds and contacts that differ from--but complement--your background and that of the other directors.
6. Take your promising ideas to people you trust and let them help you with perspective, talent, money, etc. Welcome prompt observations and detailed evaluations of your plans. You create a personal board for their vision and experience. Your purpose must be to have them help you remove or manage as many unnecessary barriers that exist.
I’ve always been a big believer in networking and learning from others smarter or wiser than myself. During the past 15 years in addition to a personal “Board of Directors” I have also formed roundtables of people in similar positions around the country. We trade ideas once or twice a month via email and learn a LOT about successful strategies from around the country. Here is a quiz. See how you do:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name 3 friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name 5 people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated.
5. Think of 5 people you enjoy spending time with.
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Whether it’s your personal “Board of Directors”, your networking roundtable or just close friends the point is to surround yourself with people who have skills and experience that you don’t have.
For other ideas on forming a personal “Board of Directors” go to: http://www.comportone.com/cpo/business/oriente/oboard.htm
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