How to Build Your Personal Board of Directors (3 Tips)
You are whom you spend your time with. Your personal brand becomes the expectations of those you surround yourself with. Choose your company - for the company of You - wisely.
You are the CEO or Creative Director of the brand of ‘You’. But, no one is an island. ‘Self-made’ is a myth. No achievement is ever gained alone. A carefully curated ‘Personal Board of Directors’ will help you achieve your personal brand vision and goals.
Tip #1: Your Personal Board of Directors
Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich popularised the idea of ‘invisible counsellors’. Hill refers to his nightly routine of gathering ‘counsel members’. Uniquely, this was all mental. The visualisation technique allowed Hill to meet with his greatest inspirations for guidance.
I recommend that my personal brand coaching clients create a Personal Board of Directors. A group of individuals who support your vision, mission and goals. After all, as Tom Peters famously pioneered in his Fast Company article, The Brand Called You, you are already a CEO - for the brand of You.
Having your own Personal Board of Directors helps make you accountable for your personal brand potential.
Here’s how I recommend building your Personal Board of Directors:
Tip #1: Make your board member appointments
First, appoint your members.
Board members are appointed to fill specific skill sets. Your Personal Board of Directors should be no different.
Here’s whom I recommend including in your Personal Board of Directors:
Connector: They are energised by introducing you to others.
A Connector is a people person who thrives off using their network to connect the dots for others.
Informer: They have industry knowledge.
The Informer knows your industry well. They are across its trends, latest news and emerging opportunities.
Influencer: They influence others.
An Influencer is someone others are naturally drawn to and whose lead others follow. They likely have a quality network and their opinion is listened to and respected.
Sponsor: They can help advance your career and put you forward for opportunities.
A Sponsor is a decision-maker in your industry. Or they’re one in your potential client or customers’ industry.
Cheerleader: They’re your biggest professional supporter.
Your Cheerleader may not be part of your industry, but they inspire and motivate you. They believe wholeheartedly in your capability. They keep you resilient and in the game.
Critic: They hold you to the highest standard.
Your biggest Critic is likely always demanding more of you. By turning your frustration with them into fuel, you’ll learn to love them.
Captain: They’re from an older generation who has already navigated your path.
Your Captain has already done what you’re trying to do. Their experience has paved the way for you to chart your own path. Learn from their victories and mistakes.
Next Gen: They’re a younger connection you see yourself in and are energised to support.
The Next Gen is someone you can be a guide for. But, you’ll likely get as much from them. They’re across emerging trends, and technology and are the future of your industry.
Tip #2: Appoint an Invisible Counsellor
Your final appointment is a special one:
Invisible Counsellor: They’re a ‘mentor’ admired from afar.
Your invisible counsellors can be anyone you wish - alive or dead. A loved one or someone you never met. The point is, like Hill, you can mentally access others to help guide your decisions. This could be based on content they created for the public. Or it could be based on your memories with them. This is why I often write about my late grandma and dad. It’s how I remember what they taught me.
Tip #3: Create a value exchange
In keeping with Hill’s mental mindset, you don’t have to tell your board members you’ve appointed them. But, I recommend you do two things:
Deliver value back to them
Keep in regular communication
As a mentee, client, customer, student or peer, you can forget your personal brand has something to offer in return.
A value exchange can be as simple as engaging with someone’s content or offering to pay for coffee. It could be sending them information, links or recommendations to help with the projects you know they’re working on. It may also be more significant, like volunteering for a cause important to them. Or sending referrals or other opportunities their way.
It’s all about partnerships. An exchange. One that helps both parties amplify their message and achieve their mission.
Business is personal. But, don’t make your personal brand so personal that you forget that connection builds brand trust. Shift your personal brand focus outward to learn from those who have paved the way, and those to come. Build your Personal Board of Directors to align with the people who will help your personal brand thrive.
So, who’s on your Personal Board of Directors?
