Building a Personal Board of Directors

By Brian Maynor

 

This is an ingenious way to adapt a business concept for personal application.

As a member of a few Boards, I was intimately familiar with the concept of how a board of directors works, but I never thought about employing the concept on a personal level until I stumbled across Sabrina Nawaz’s article.

The concept is simple and brilliant.

Over the past several years, traditional mentorship has declined in favor of this personal-team format.  The structure and purpose are consistent with a typical board of directors, to gather a group of diverse people to help you plan, navigate and achieve success; the only difference is that the focus is your personal success.

Here are some highlights and tips to use when creating your personal board of directors:

1.    Keep the team small.  Ideally you only want to have six to eight people on your board.  This is the optimal size for diversity, practicality, and effectiveness without redundancy.

2.    Fans.  Different from your friends, fans support you while being able to deliver constructive feedback or tough news in a kind way and with nothing but good intentions.  They help point out actionable ways to deal with struggles, challenges or setbacks.

3.    Potential sponsors.  Having buy-in from people in a position to help you is always a good thing, so you want to recruit two or three for your board.  These should be senior-level leaders both within and across your industry that will actively advocate for you as opportunities arise for promotion and development.

4.    Critics.   While it always feels good to have a fan club, unless there is someone providing a counter opinion they aren’t very effective.  Critics may not have the most popular opinions of you or your goals, but they are surprisingly the most valuable.  Not that you need to stack your board with challengers, but there should be at least one person on your board who is critical and willing to challenge you.

It makes sense that a team of people working with you and for you is better than just one, but that team has to be the right blend of personalities and perspectives if they are going to be effective.  The other key component is that your board is actively engaged in helping you achieve your goals.  Advice is insightful, but you also need action.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

I am always curious to hear some of your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and challenges. Please send your comments and questions to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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