Research suggests that having a personal “board of directors,” or a diverse group of formal and informal mentors, can improve overall job satisfaction.
What is a personal board of directors? This innovative concept is a group of trusted people you intentionally bring together to offer guidance, perspective, and support as you navigate your career and life. They help you plot a course through career growth, leadership opportunities, and work–life alignment. Your personal board of directors helps you think strategically, challenge your assumptions, and encourage your development during both successes and setbacks.
Just like a corporate board, the makeup of your personal board will be unique to your goals and stage of career. Here are a few strategic tips for selecting and maintaining your board.
Start with Peer Support
You can build your personal board at any stage of your career or life. Look to your peers as a starting point.
Studies show that peer mentorship is a valuable form of support for career development and productivity. It creates opportunities to share resources, provide mutual support, and encourage learning through shared experiences and tasks, such as managing up, work-life integration, collaboration, publishing, and developing clinical or professional expertise.
Aim for Diversity
Diversity in a board of directors includes background, geography, field, sector, and culture. Expanding your network in this way helps you connect with individuals who can offer fresh perspectives and unique insights.
Think of Your Board as Dynamic and Evolving
As your career expands, your board may grow as you build relationships with other professionals and invest in them. Its composition may also shift over time to reflect your evolving goals, needs, and the broader economic and professional landscape.
Include Both Mentors and Non-Mentors
Mentors are especially valuable because they know you well and can provide guidance based on your experiences and goals. However, there is also great value in including individuals who may not serve as formal mentors but have more casual relationships with you, including trusted peers.
Remember: It’s a Mutually Beneficial Relationship.
Share your goals, ideas, and needs, and stay connected by celebrating both small wins and major milestones. At the same time, consider how you can support your board members. Don’t hesitate to ask how you can help them as well. In this way, your personal board of directors becomes a collaborative partnership that supports mutual growth and shared success.
Start Building Your Personal Board with Intention
Once you identify where guidance and support would be most beneficial, you can begin inviting individuals to join your personal board. Include individuals who inspire, challenge, and support you.
This circle may evolve as your goals and needs change, serving as an invaluable source of perspective, accountability, and encouragement throughout your career and life.
Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBLCA, ACC, is a doctor of optometry, podcast host, and founding board member of the Intrepid Eye Society. She is also an ICF Associate Certified Coach and the founder of Alpine Blue Coaching.
References
Wasserstein AG, Quistberg DA, Shea JA. Mentoring at the University of Pennsylvania: results of a faculty survey. J Gen Intern Med. 2007;22:210–214.
Nemeth A, Chisty A, Spagnoletti CL, Stankiewicz CA, Burant C, Ramani S. Exploring mentoring experiences, perceptions, and needs of general internal medicine clinician educators navigating academia: a mixed-methods study. J Gen Intern Med. 2020;36(5):1229–1236.
McDaniel CE, Rooholamini SN, Desai AD, Reddy S, Marshall SG. A qualitative evaluation of a clinical faculty mentor- ship program using a realist evaluation approach. Acad Pediatr. 2020;20:104–112.