What are the best ways to build a personal board of advisors for career growth?

2 Seek diversity and relevance

Your personal board of advisors should not be a homogeneous group of people who share your background, industry, or role. You want to have a diverse mix of advisors who can offer you different perspectives, insights, and networks. Look for people who have relevant expertise, experience, or influence in the areas that you need. For example, you might want to have an advisor who is a leader in your field, an advisor who is an expert in a skill that you want to learn, an advisor who is a connector in your network, and an advisor who is a challenger who can push you out of your comfort zone.

3 Build genuine relationships

Your personal board of advisors is not a transactional or one-time arrangement. It is a long-term and reciprocal relationship that requires trust, respect, and mutual value. You need to build genuine rapport with your potential advisors before you ask them for their advice. You can do this by reaching out to them with a personalized message, expressing your appreciation and admiration for their work, offering your help or support, and inviting them for a conversation. You also need to maintain regular contact with your advisors, update them on your progress, and show gratitude for their guidance.

4 Ask smart questions

One of the benefits of having a personal board of advisors is that you can get candid and constructive feedback from them. However, you need to ask smart questions that elicit useful and actionable responses. You want to avoid vague, generic, or yes-or-no questions that don't spark meaningful dialogue. Instead, you want to ask specific, open-ended, and reflective questions that demonstrate your curiosity, preparedness, and willingness to learn. For example, you can ask your advisors how they handled a similar situation, what they learned from a failure, what they would do differently, or what resources they recommend.

5 Apply and share learnings

Your personal board of advisors is not just a source of information or inspiration. It is also a catalyst for action and improvement. You need to apply and share the learnings that you gain from your advisors. You can do this by setting SMART goals, creating action plans, tracking your progress, and measuring your results. You also need to share your learnings with your advisors, as well as with your peers, colleagues, and managers. This way, you can show your appreciation, accountability, and impact.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?