Building Your Own "Personal Board Of Directors"
When building a successful career, it is vital to surround yourself with people who will join you on an upward trajectory toward success. When looking at your team, or what we call "your personal board of directors," is it full of people who can vouch for your character and objectively assess your strengths? Do you surround yourself with people who will freely open up contracts and networks that will be instrumental to your growth and visibility and accelerate your path to promotion? Do your "board members" stretch you to challenge yourself and constantly take steps toward your goals?
Reflecting on your business relationships and ensuring you have the best team in place is the theme of Jenny Fernandez and Luis Velasquez's article, "Five Relationships You Need To Build A Successful Career." Fernandez and Velasquez suggest you take a look at your board members and be sure they include a mentor, a sponsor, a partner, a competitor, and a mentee. Each of these roles is crucial in your journey toward success for different reasons. Perhaps you are filling this role for others, and you may also need to recruit new members to your team as you advance in your career. Let’s dive in.
A Mentor
It's essential that your personal board of directors includes a member who serves as your mentor. No matter what stage you are at in your career, it's important to work with someone who is more experienced than you so they have the ability to impart knowledge that stems solely from experience. If you ever begin to feel lost or overwhelmed, this person can set you back on the right track - they will hold you accountable, have difficult conversations with you, and ultimately help you grow in every facet of your life. This month, take time to reflect on whether you need to add a mentor to your team and, if so, who they could be and how they could help. Reach out, meet up, and continually foster this relationship.
A Sponsor
Your board also needs a sponsor. A sponsor is a person who will advocate for you behind your back when you are not a part of the conversation. They can vouch for your character and skill set and help you secure opportunities you may not garner on your own. In order to secure a sponsor, you need to make yourself and your skills visible within your workplace. You need to be the type of person someone can easily promote. Start by sharing your unique knowledge without being asked, which will help you develop an excellent reputation within your field. When you secure a sponsor, be clear with them about your ambitions, so they can begin to secure you opportunities that align with your goals.
A Partner
You will also need a partner. A partner is a peer you trust and who has similar aspirations to you. You will be able to collaborate with this person and elevate one another by filling gaps in each other's skill sets. To find the right partner, start by acknowledging others when they aid in your success or fill a gap in your skill set. Also, consider how you can help them so that you’re a good team and the partnership is mutually beneficial!
A Competitor
While this may sound unappealing, you also need a competitor to fuel your success. Competition is healthy, and the person you deem your competitor doesn't have to be your adversary. Both parties can find themselves in win-win situations. Your motivation will stem from your competition, and you will find greater success when someone else pushes you.
A Mentee
Finally, your personal board of directors needs to include a mentee. You cannot be a master of something unless you are able to teach it to others. You will find the more you teach, the more you will learn. You will gain clarity when breaking down practices and explaining small details to another person. It will improve your communication and sense of empathy, and your employers will value these skills in you.
As you start building your board of directors, refer back to this blog. For more information on these critical five relationships, check out "Five Relationships You Need To Build A Successful Career." For additional help on your journey toward success, reach out today.
