Jim Rohn (1930 – 2009) was a legendary American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. He is widely regarded as the “grandfather of personal development,” and he has several quotes that I think are applicable for our topic today:
- Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better
- Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment
- Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change
- We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with
Why a Personal Board of Directors Matters During a Job Transition
Although I found each of those quotes useful, the last one is what particularly triggered me when considering forming a personal board of directors / kitchen cabinet.
Although I’ve been actively engaged in HR for over three decades, and with Crossroads Career for over two, I’ve only heard of a few people who have intentionally created a personal board of directors to assist them when unemployed or unfulfilled.
Last week I encountered one of those “few people.” I was talking with Patrick, who I had just been introduced to through a mutual friend, and he shared with me that he had assembled four people to support him in his latest job transition. He had just landed a job a few months ago and as I was asking him about what he found most difficult and most helpful in his job transition, he brought this topic up.
The personal board / kitchen cabinet concept makes complete sense to me, but I had not ever written about it, nor have I actively recommended that people consider this approach. That’s changing with this blog, because the more I’ve thought about it and researched it, the more sense it makes.
After all, many organizations assemble a board of directors (some for governance, others for advice) for the purpose of the chief executive getting fiduciary oversight, deeper insights, and risk mitigation. Since each of us are responsible for our own careers (and all that goes with that statement), then the logic holds that each of us could benefit from an advisory board that could encourage, instill accountability, expand our thinking and perspectives, avoid blind spots, challenge our assumptions, and broaden our network, to name a few. 🙂
Benefits of Building a Personal Advisory Board
When we then apply those benefits to ourselves when we’re unemployed or unfulfilled, the “pitch” is pretty compelling. I found plenty of literature about the topic of having a personal board of directors, including MIT Sloan Management Review, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and many others. One of these summarized the concept very well:
“A diverse board of directors helps you think more creatively, offers multiple perspectives, connects dots between seemingly disparate areas, reveals blind spots, and connects you with people you wouldn’t otherwise would not have met.” Widelensleadership.com (“Your Personal Board of Directors”)
Biblical Wisdom About Seeking Counsel and Community
As I try to be in a habit of doing, I wanted to check this approach against Scripture. Here’s a what I found:
Proverbs 15:22 tells us, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” BOOM!!
In addition, we’re given examples:
- In Exodus 18, Moses was becoming overwhelmed by the burden of leading the people of Israel to the Promised Land. His father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to appoint capable leaders to delegate responsibility, which became a more effective and sustainable system of governance for the nation.
- In Esther 4:14, Esther is advised by her uncle, Mordecai, “who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” She heeds his advice by taking action with the king, and ultimately saves her people.
- In Acts 15, the early church was divided about multiple issues, Paul, Barnabas, and Peter convened a council in Jerusalem which debated and prayed over those issues, resulting (through the power of the Holy Spirit) in preventing division and unifying the church with the gospel of grace.
- Unfortunately we also have negative examples, one being King Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam ignored wise counsel which resulted in the catastrophic division of the kingdom of Israel.
Who Should Be on Your Personal Board of Directors?
With that backdrop, I believe considering a personal board of directors could be a very useful endeavor for all of us, particularly if you’re facing challenges and change through being unfulfilled or unemployed. The next question you may be asking is, “Well ok, who should I consider to be a member of my personal board of directors?”
I found many perspectives here, with the common element being individuals who know you and whom you can trust. Here are some of the roles you would want to consider members playing as part of your team. Quick filter here…it’s not necessary that you gather these people together to meet as a group, although that is certainly an option. What’s most important is that you’re able to glean their wisdom and insights into your life. Also, advice was pretty consistent that you’d want to get 5 – 10 people to be formally or informally part of this board. Now, back to the roles:
Potential Roles for Your Personal Team
- Coach
- Challenger
- Encourager
- Connector
- Influencer
- Realist
- Emotional anchor
- Financial perspective
- Someone in your dream job or a few career steps ahead of you
- Former supervisor or colleagues
- A wise elder (10-15 years older)
- A wise younger (10-15 years younger)
- A committed listener
As you can probably surmise, some of these roles may overlap, and it’s not necessary to label the people you select. These are just suggested roles that might help you while thinking through who might be the right people to gather.
How to Decide Who Should Be on Your Personal Board
The process is not a difficult one, although it may take some time and intentional thought:
1. Lay out your perceived biggest needs
For example, if you have strong financial acumen, then you might not need to get a person with that attribute. Or maybe you already have a close friend who’s a great listener, solid encourager, and has had success in their career…they could fit several of the roles.
2. Decide what objectives do you have for the board
Is it heavy on encouragement? Accountability? Blind spots? What could 3-5 bullet points be that you eventually share as to “why” you’re wanting to engage with this board?
3. Make a long list of potential people to consider, given the filter in #1
Just let your ideas flow as you go through your contact list. Don’t take anyone off the list as they come to mind. If they strike you as a possibility for some reason, just add them to the list.
4. Review the list
Specify “why” they came to mind as you brainstormed. Be as specific as you can.
5. Filter the list
See where you might have overlaps or gaps. For example, you may have a gap by not having a wise elder, just a bunch of peers. In that case, you might want to network within your list to see if you can identify someone to consider.
6. Fine tune the list
Get the list down to 5-10 people.
7. Contact the people
After determining whether you’re going to want to meet as a group or individually, along with refining the short, informal description of why you’re going through this process.
I’d then encourage you to reflect and put together a list of 5 – 10 questions you’d like to ask the board, again either individually or as a group. Some of those questions could include framing their perspectives on your:
| Purpose | Passions |
| Skills | Roles |
| Cultural Fit | Networking |
| Identity | Financial Position |
| Future Direction | Answering interview questions |
| Questions for you to ask | Blind spots |
As with many ideas in life, there’s never an ideal time, AND no time like the present! 🙂 I’d encourage you to give it a try, by deliberately organizing your thoughts and utilizing this approach with some individuals you trust.
Don’t Go Through Career Challenges Alone
Whatever you do, please don’t “go it alone.” The enemy doesn’t want you in community. He thrives on you being isolated, so you can be ignored, discouraged, and beaten down where you lose joy, peace, and hope.
Reach out to others today. Our Crossroads Guides have walked in your shoes. They know many of the lies that our enemy uses to take us away from following our Lord closely. They have compassionate hearts wanting to serve others. Click here to schedule your FREE 45 minute consultation with a Crossroads Guide.
None of us can see all the dots sprinkled around us. Engage with others to help you see and connect those dots! Apply Jim Rohn’s quotes to inspire you to pursue the work that God has ordained for you!
Dave Sparkman currently serves as the volunteer Crossroads Career board chair and local ministry leader. He is also the founder and managing director of Spark Your Culture, a corporate culture consulting firm. Prior to that he worked at UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune #5 public company, serving in the role of Chief Culture Officer. His unemployment experience came from the implosion of Arthur Andersen, where he served as the West Region Managing Partner, People.
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