Hello, and happy Monday.
Congratulations!
In last week’s edition of MMM, I offered readers a metaphorical promotion to an important role as CEO of “You Incorporated.” Those promotions were effective immediately.
Taking on the role as CEO of “You Inc.” starts in your own mind and in how you see yourself. For many of us, it might require a mental shift from seeing ourselves, not just as employees, but also as the CEO of our jobs, careers, and even our lives.
I also focused on several “mental models” that might be important in your role as the CEO of your career. We are all responsible for wearing many hats including: marketing and shaping our personal brand, customer service, development, R&D, and strategic planning, just to name a few.
In a missive from two weeks ago, “Is it time to reinvent yourself?”, I offered seven ideas for consideration when contemplating the possibility of reinventing yourself, or some aspect of your life and/or career.
One of those seven ideas was to seek the guidance of trusted advisors.
This week I expand on the concept of seeking guidance and share a lesson I learned more than 20+ years ago, from author William Bridges, in his book entitled: Creating You & Company; Learn to Think Like the CEO of Your Own Career.
“A man’s pride can be his downfall, and he needs to learn when to turn to others for support and guidance.” – Bear Grylls
All corporations, and most CEOs, report to a corporate board of directors. Those boards play important advisory roles including: governance & oversight, strategic guidance, accountability, risk management, crisis management, outside perspectives, and long-term planning to name a few.
Typically, those boards are made up of members with diverse backgrounds, bringing a wide range of experience, expertise, diversity, and wisdom to the table. This diversity adds value to the board, the CEO, and the organization.
As the “CEO of our careers,” we could learn a lot from our corporate counterparts.
We could all benefit from having a “board of directors” to use as sounding boards, sources of guidance, and outside counsel. The idea here is that we each create and utilize our own personal/professional board of directors.
“Asking for other’s guidance helps you see what you may not be able to see. It’s always important to check your ego and ask for help.” – Ken Blanchard
We should each have a P-BoD which stands for: P ersonal B oard of D irectors.
A “Personal Board of Directors,” refers to a metaphorical concept where an individual identifies a group of trusted advisors, mentors, or supporters to provide guidance, feedback, and strategic counsel to navigate their personal and professional lives.
Like a corporate board of directors for a company, a personal board of directors is comprised of individuals with diverse expertise and perspectives.
Everyone should have a group of people with whom they can consult when contemplating significant changes in their life or career. Your P-BoD members should consist of people who know your strengths, weaknesses, values, ambitions, and work tendencies.
Your board members should also care deeply about you and be willing to give you honest, candid, and caring, feedback while serving as a sounding boards, and “encouragers of the heart.”
My P-BoD consists of my wife Becky, (she is the chairperson 😊) a couple of former bosses, a former pastor, several past work associates, and a couple of good friends who know me well.
Importantly, all these board members are willing to tell me the truth with compassion. I know they have my best interests at heart. They care about me.
Please know we don’t get together for formal board meetings and financial reviews, although there would be wonderful value in doing so. These are simply people I call on when I want to bounce a few ideas around or make an important life/career decision.
My P-BoD members have been involved in all my major career decisions, and occasionally, those everyday situations where I just need a sounding board. I wish the same for you!
We don’t have to face life’s challenges alone; doing so is often a subconscious choice made by far too many people. If this tends to be you, I invite you to ponder that question, “Why have I not sought the counsel of others who care about me?”
If that is you, today is a good day to make a change. Who might you invite to be a member of your P-BoD? I’m sure they would be honored to do so.
Suggested Reading:
Bonus Quotes Below.
How will you live, love, or lead, differently, or better this week?
Sincerely,
Bryan Yager
“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”
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Bonus Quotes:
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“There is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice. ” – Joseph Addison
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“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination. ” – John C Maxwell
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“A mentor empowers a person to see a possible future and believe it can be obtained. ” – Shan Hitchcock
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“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction. ” – John Crosby
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“You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself.” – Galileo Galilei
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“A mentor is someone who can give you guidance, advice, and support when you need it .” – Richard Branson
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“Understanding why people suffer, how they change, and how to help them live more satisfying and gratifying lives is a fascinating, huge, and important undertaking.” – Sommers-Flanagan
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“Develop a mentor at each stage of your career – someone who will give you guidance and advice.” – Brian Tracy
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“There is guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
