Our Members continue to share issues they are struggling with and we’ll highlight one or more in each newsletter.
How do I go about building my own board? I have no idea where to start.
– Alex, 29
As your career progresses, it pays to be strategic about the mentors and supporters who can help you get to the next level. Here are three steps to get started:
- Invest in relationships. Recognize that everyone you meet is someone you can learn from. And perhaps they can learn from you, too! If you take time to cultivate a relationship and build trust, you’ll be amazed how relationships flourish 🌱 and become valuable over time.
- Embrace networking as a way of life. Some people view networking through a negative lens, but if you view it as a chance to meet interesting people who can expand your perspective and shape your life, networking becomes a lot more fun 👍.
- Make the “ask”. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire, respect, or want to learn from. Ask for a quick call or cup of coffee ☕ to learn about something they know a lot about. If they say yes, be prepared for your conversation, respectful of their time, and gracious in your follow up. Sometimes people say ‘no’ or ignore your request. No biggie. Because the ones who say ‘yes’, can change your life. I know this for sure.
Remember, your dream team should be a group of people with experiences different from your own and who offer you a fresh and honest perspective. Read more about this in Harvard Business Review’s Ascend series.
BYOB and you’ll be unstoppable.
