Build Your Personal Board
You’re Not Meant to Go It Alone
When you hear the word ‘board’, you might think of corporate boardrooms or committees that steer big organisations. But what if you applied the same principle to your own life and career? Imagine having your own personal board - a small, trusted group of people who support, challenge, advise, and champion you as you navigate change, growth, or even uncertainty.
Why You Need a Personal Board
No one builds a legacy alone. Whether you’re climbing the leadership ladder, pivoting careers, or planning your next chapter after decades of service, having people around you who believe in your potential and offer honest feedback is invaluable.
Your personal board isn’t about hierarchy - it’s about trust, diversity of thought, and genuine support. These are the people who see your blind spots, remind you of your strengths, and keep you accountable when self-doubt creeps in.
Who Belongs on Your Board?
Think of your personal board as your bespoke inner circle. Here are some of the roles you might want to fill:
The Challenger – The person who pushes you to aim higher, ask difficult questions, and never settle for ‘good enough.’
The Listener – Someone who simply gets you and provides a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.
The Expert – A mentor or role model with experience you respect, especially useful when navigating a career pivot or leadership leap.
The Encourager – A cheerleader who reminds you how far you’ve come and believes in where you’re going.
The Anchor – A grounding presence who keeps you aligned with your values and sense of purpose.
Your board members don’t need formal titles or regular meetings. They can be people from any part of your life, colleagues, friends, former bosses, or even someone you met once but whose words stuck with you. What matters is the connection and the value they bring.
How to Build Your Board
Reflect: Who has supported, guided, or challenged you positively in your life so far?
Ask: Reach out to people you admire and trust. Be honest about why you value their perspective.
Diversify: Seek a mix of experience, style, and viewpoints. A good board doesn’t always agree but they always want the best for you.
Stay Connected: Relationships need nurturing. A coffee, a walk, a message now and then keeps the bond strong.
Be a Board Member for Others: Leadership is reciprocal. Who could you support in return?
You Deserve Support
You might be a leader, a parent, a coach, a carer but you’re also human. Having a personal board isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom. It’s saying: ‘I don’t have all the answers but I’m brave enough to ask for help.’
As I stood smiling next to a sculpture from a children’s show recently (see photo), I was reminded how even the most colourful, seemingly carefree characters are never alone. There’s always a team behind the scenes. Why should real life be any different?
So, who’s on your board?