What is Your Personal Board of Directors?

Authentic Reflections Upon Ourselves - Tufas, Mono Lake, California

Your Board Can Help You Achieve Personal and Professional Success

When people think about their personal and professional development, there is usually a profound awareness that it is largely the result of their own effort. Further consideration leads to the recognition of those persons that cared about their well-being, who taught and mentored them.

Personal guides that influence people’s lives are personified by parents, family, teachers, coaches, professors and mentors. Sometimes you may learn pearls of wisdom from those you barely know. There are times when your other best friend, a book, illuminates your life.

My Giants and Gratitude

I have benefitted immensely from all of the above, initially during my lengthy, formal education. I recognized early on the enormous value they bestowed upon me and I thanked them accordingly. As time progressed, I felt more deeply than ever gratitude for those who cared for me and by extension, those that I cared for then and would in the future..

For some, their formal or informal training comes to an end.  Yet the pursuit of excellence in any endeavor requires that personal and professional development continue throughout their lives.

There are some that as they develop further their skills and self-confidence, may experience some isolation from other sources of learning and wisdom. It may barely be noticed as it creeps insidiously into their attitudes toward their own development.

You and Your Development

I firmly believe that the goal of deliberate training, whether formal or not, should have as its purpose the fulfillment of your potential and to develop it further.

That purpose is more assuredly achieved by continuing to learn from others. As you begin and progress in your career, you will benefit from counsel and mentoring from individuals who can help you overcome the myriad of numerous challenges you will surely face.

Some of those challenges may include career or job changes. Another is certain one is how to manage your end of career…what is commonly referred to as “retirement.”

Who Are the Members of Your Board?

Your informal Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from varied walks of life whose wisdom and advice you value. They are persons with whom you have mutual respect.

They are individuals that over a period of time you have sought them out for help with challenging problems.

Your Board members may be paid professionals whom you compensate such an attorney (s), accountant, financial planner, consultants/coaches, etc. They may be spiritual advisors such as a priest, pastor, rabbi or others.

There are often times when your spouse is invaluable in this regard. The same is true of a colleague.

Then there are times when your child has grown and developed into a mature adult whose counsel you value and seek.

These persons have in common a particular quality: they have earned your confidence to advise you in a manner that is in your best interest…even when it is hard for you to hear it.

They also have in common their confidence in you to be respectful and appreciative of their well-intended advice…and that it will not affect your relationship.

In addition to the above, they each know that they can depend on you to serve them when needed, in the manner that you are able.

There are a number of qualities that I believe your Board members should have in order to best serve your needs. These are examples:

• Character
• Virtuous
• Judgement
• Insight
• Intelligence
• Loyal
• Discreet
• Courageous

Your Board and the Light That Illuminates You

There are times in people’s lives when they are inclined to feel very alone or that they are the only ones capable of shedding light on an obscure problem. Sometimes that is true and it is necessary to summon the qualities they possess to succeed. More often than not, the outcome is better when they exercise the insight and courage to ask for help from those they respect.

You may already have individuals that collectively, you can conceptualize as your personal Board of Directors.

I encourage you to speak with them. Tell them you value them so much that you want them to have this special role…and that you are also there for them anytime. You and they probably know this already but this is an elegant way of reminding them that you value your relationship.

Who are they?

If you have none now, who can they be?

PS: Do you want to learn more from me about how to create and experience a fulfilling end of career Transition? To help you, I provide consulting services tailored to your specific needs. Click here to apply for a complimentary strategy session.

Goodness Glows - Santa Fe, New Mexico

© Enrique Fernandez, M. D.