Creating Your Personal Board of Advisors

By Christine Murray

Last week in the Start Here Blog, I talked about the importance of having cheerleaders in our corner as we face life’s challenges. Just as having cheerleaders along a race course can uplift and motivate us during a race, having a personal “Board of Advisors” can offer another valuable source of support in our journey through life's challenges and opportunities. 

While cheerleaders encourage and uplift our spirits, our advisors and mentors can offer ongoing, practical guidance and insights across a broader range of topics. They serve as trusted allies who offer unique perspectives, expertise, and constructive feedback to help us process complex decisions and emotions effectively. This is why so many businesses and nonprofits have formal advisory boards to offer guidance and input into big and small decisions.

Together, both cheerleaders and advisors can offer a well-rounded support system that empowers us to thrive in all aspects of life, especially amidst big changes in life or at work.

In my own life, I’ve tried to make a habit of seeking out guidance whenever I’m making big decisions, and my advisors and mentors have helped me a lot. Sometimes, they tell me things I don’t necessarily want to hear, but I’ve found that perspectives and guidance that challenge me are very helpful, even when it’s uncomfortable to hear.

When setting out on new changes in life, a reliable support system can make all the difference. Instead of facing challenges alone, consider creating your own personal Board of Advisors (or whatever name for this group of people resonates with you, such as your Personal Support Team, your Sounding Board, or your Mentoring Team). 

Whatever you call this team of trusted individuals, they can serve as a valuable resource to help you navigate emotions and decisions as you venture into new experiences you haven’t faced before.

Your personal Board of Advisors doesn’t necessarily have to be a formal group that meets regularly. Instead, think of it as a network of supportive voices that you can turn to for guidance and encouragement when needed. Here are some steps to build your personal advisory team:

1. Identify the people in your life who consistently provide support. List their names and the types of support and guidance they offer you.
2. Reflect on the extent to which your current network of supporters and advisors feels complete, or if you feel there are gaps in the types of support you’d ideally like to have. If possible, it’s wise to seek a lot of diversity of perspectives and backgrounds among your advisors and mentors to offer more well-rounded guidance.
3. Build additional supportive relationships if your support network currently feels incomplete. This could include building stronger connections with existing members or reaching out to new potential advisors or networking groups.
4. Reach out to your advisory team members when you would benefit from their support. Whenever possible, be as specific as possible when providing information about your circumstances so they can tailor their guidance to your unique needs at the time.
5. Give back within your support network and/or to others for whom you might be part of their personal Advisory Board as well. Receiving and offering support, encouragement, and guidance can become a powerful cycle of support within your network and community.

Building a solid network of advisors, mentors, and guides helps you have access to a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to draw upon as you face new challenges and opportunities. Seek out supporters and advisors who have your best interests at heart, and remain open-minded toward the insights and guidance they have to offer you!